To help address financial institutions' complex security needs,the St. Paul' Minn.-based 3M began offering multiple securitysolutions, including automated license plate recognition andbiometric scanners to strengthen authentication and control access,the company announced.

“At 3M, we understand the importance and benefit for our clientsin working with one vendor to help create an effective andstreamlined security program,” Amy McKeown, commercial securitysegment marketer at 3M, said.

McKeown explained the company's product line-up allows financialinstitutions to customize and incorporate products as they see fit.

“With our broad range of reliable, proven and flexiblesolutions, 3M is able to address the unique security challenges ofbanking and financial institutions,” she said.

For instance, 3M recently launched the CR5400 Double-Sided ID1Reader, which checks the front and back sides of IDssimultaneously. The device's capabilities include age and document verification.

Since the primary form of identity verification in the U.S.involves the driver's license, incorporating the CR5400 into theauthentication process allows member service representatives andtellers to provide better, more expedited service for everydaytransactions, according to 3M. The CR5400 can also provideauthentication during the account origination or loan applicationprocesses.

3M's biometric technology includes facial, fingerprint and irisrecognition capabilities, which can be integrated into existingsecurity products and software.

The company's 3MMiY (“Make it Yours”) biometric access controlproducts offer flexibility at the device and system levels byemploying customizable readers; multi-layer authentication toolsinclude card readers, keypads and fingerprint scanners. Areas thatrequire higher security access control, such as vaults, may requirethe use of all three access control tools. On the other hand, abreak room may require just a badge swipe to get in. The MiY accesscontrol readers also allow for employee hour tracking.

In addition, businesses can support human resources efforts with3M LiveScan technology. Through the gathering of fingerprints andpalm prints, 3M provides a secure application that links to majorbackground check databases.

The automated license plate recognition – often referred to asALPR – method allows for continuous, reliable surveillance. 3M'sALPR solution scans and records license plates with a level ofaccuracy and speed that far exceeds the human eye's capability.

ALPR continuously scans license plates that come and go from abusiness' premises. According to 3M, if a credit union chooses towork with local law enforcement, this versatile system can help itscommunity by alerting linked agencies when ALPR cameras detectvehicles on government hotlists, such as stolen vehicles or thosebelonging to wanted criminals. Companies can also maintain theirown hotlists to monitor their locations and ensure perimetersafety.