Korean fingerprint module-maker CrucialTec said Wednesday that it will host the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance interoperability testing events for the first time in Korea in March.

The FIDO Alliance is a global consortium for bio authentication technology standards, and the events have been held every year in the U.S. to validate members’ identification technologies. 


Global information technology giants, including Samsung Electronics, Google, Microsoft, Lenovo and ARM, are among the FIDO Alliance board members and the interoperability test is the final step for members before receiving FIDO certification, which recognizes high levels of security and compatibility.

A total of 25 executives and engineers from the FIDO board members and non-members will take part in the forum to be held from March 8-10 at the head office of the Korean fingerprint module-maker in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province.

It will be the first time for the event to be held outside the U.S. since the foundation of the FIDO organization in 2012, as it has always been held in San Jose, California.

The increased presence of Asian tech companies in the authentication sector seems to be a reason behind the first testing events in Asia.

Among 51 companies that have their identification technologies certified by the alliance, 25 are based in Asia, according to the Korean firm.

CrucialTech hosted a plenary meeting of the FIDO Alliance in October, 2014 where around 100 FIDO member companies discussed the standardization works of authentication technology.

The Korean firm supplies fingerprint modules for smartphones made by global phone-makers including Huawei, Sony and HTC.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)