Aware Provides Biometric Solution To Cambridge Assessment To Enhance ESOL Exam Security

BEDFORD, Mass., Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aware, Inc. (NASDAQ: AWRE), a global provider of biometrics and medical imaging software, today announced that it has supplied Cambridge Assessment, the University of Cambridge's international exams group, with a biometric verification solution based on its COTS Biometric Services Platform (BioSP™) and user interface development services. The advanced solution forms the basis of 'Identica,' which is part of Cambridge Assessment's exam fraud prevention services.

The Identica system enables exam proctors to easily capture ISO-compliant facial images of candidates.  These images are then made available to organizations wishing to verify that the candidate presenting a certificate is the candidate who took the test. This is increasingly a need where international assessments are required for critical purposes, such as for citizenship application. Operating at a central facility, BioSP provides identity management functionality that enables the fast and efficient capture of candidates' facial photo upon their arrival at a test center. The system can be easily upgraded to support additional biometric modalities, including fingerprints.

One of Cambridge Assessment's exam boards, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, will be the first to use Identica for its CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced) test, which is now recognized by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for student visa applications. The service has been rolled out to Cambridge ESOL test centers globally, and is expected to be in use in over 130 countries by the end of 2011.

"We launched Identica to enhance the security of our exams, which are widely used for immigration and citizenship, higher education and business, and need the highest levels of integrity," commented Sarah Corcoran, Director at Cambridge Assessment. "Aware was able to adapt their products remarkably quickly to meet our specific functionality and workflow requirements. The solution is flexible and scalable, providing advanced biometric capabilities that satisfy our current requirements as well as those we anticipate for the future."

Aware will participate as the Platinum Sponsor of the Biometrics Institute Technology Showcase and Exhibition, taking place in Canberra, Australia on November 30, 2011. Aware will be demonstrating BioSP and other biometrics software products in their stand at the event.

About AwareAware is a leading software and technology supplier for the biometrics, telecommunications, and healthcare industries. Aware's biometrics software products and services are provided to solution vendors and system integrators for use by government agencies towards applications including border management, secure credentials, law enforcement, and national defense. Aware's DSL Service Assurance Group offers test and diagnostics software and hardware products that enable broadband service providers to manage their DSL networks. Aware also provides standards-based medical imaging software products to the healthcare industry. Aware is a publicly held company (Nasdaq: AWRE) based in Bedford, Massachusetts. www.aware.com

See Aware's new website for more information about BioSP and other biometrics software products.

About Cambridge Assessment, ESOL Examination Group, and Identica Cambridge Assessment is Cambridge University's international exams group, and comprises three exam boards - University of Cambridge International Examinations, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), and OCR, as well as the largest educational research capability of its kind.  Cambridge ESOL are experts in language assessment. Cambridge ESOL exams are the world's leading range of certificates for learners of English and each year they are taken by over 3.25 million people in 130 countries.

Identica is a new service offered by Cambridge Assessment that uses an advanced software platform and international network equipped with biometric technology to enhance security and help prevent exam fraud. ISO-compliant photographs of exam candidates can be taken quickly and efficiently and then later compared with the exam taker or other photos and documents, such as passports.

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