BIO-key Introduces EcoID III USB Fingerprint Scanner Delivering FBI FAP 20 Certification, Security, Liveness Detection, and Encrypted Device-to-Host Communication

Rhea-AI Summary

BIO-key (Nasdaq: BKYI) launched the EcoID III USB fingerprint scanner on October 21, 2025, delivering FBI FAP 20, PIV, and NIBSS certifications, plus liveness detection and encrypted device-to-host communication.

EcoID III supports Windows Hello/Windows Hello for Business and FIDO2 Platform authentication, interoperates with over 30 scanners on BIO-key platforms, and offers faster captures, 360-degree placement, LED guidance, and robust performance in bright, wet, and noisy environments. BIO-key says first volume orders are shipping to government customers; availability is via BIO-key and authorized partners.

Positive

• FBI FAP 20 certification for fingerprint image quality
• NIST PIV compliance for federal employee and contractor matching
• NIBSS certification for additional standards coverage
• Supports Windows Hello and FIDO2 Platform authentication
• Interoperable with >30 fingerprint scanners on BIO-key platforms
• Encrypted device-to-host communication and liveness detection

Negative

• None.

Insights

Biometric Product Strategist

Certified, lower-cost FAP 20 scanner with liveness and encrypted comms strengthens BIO-key's product portfolio and government traction.

BIO-key expands its IAM hardware lineup with the EcoID III, a USB fingerprint scanner certified to FBI FAP 20, PIV, and NIBSS. The device adds liveness/anti-spoofing, encrypted device-to-host communication, and FIDO2 Platform support for Windows Hello, enabling passwordless, phoneless authentication on desktops, thin clients, and docking stations.

The business mechanism is straightforward: a competitively priced, certified hardware SKU reduces friction for enterprise and government deployments already using PortalGuard and Passkey:YOU, while interoperability with 30+ scanners preserves existing integrations. Key dependencies include sustained certification compliance, supply of volume orders to the stated government customers, and channel partner distribution to convert interest into recurring deployments.

Watch for three near-term signals: confirmation of order volumes and timing from government customers, partner rollouts and pricing details, and any firmware/security validation results or interoperability reports within the next 12 months. Positive vendor adoption or confirmed purchase commitments would reinforce upside; lack of follow-through or integration issues would temper impact.

HOLMDEL, N.J., Oct. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIO-key^® International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BKYI), a global leader in biometric-centric Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, is proud to announce its next generation EcoID III USB Fingerprint Scanner, extending its market leadership with higher quality, faster captures, liveness detection, FBI FAP 20, PIV and NIBSS certification, plus interoperability with the over thirty different fingerprint scanners already supported by BIO-key’s PortalGuard and Passkey:YOU IAM platforms. The high-quality, attractively priced EcoID III enables Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business on Windows devices, adding FIDO2 Platform authentication to any desktop, thin client or docking station.

EcoID III Features:

• Liveness detection and anti-spoofing to reject presentation attacks and spoofing.
• Robust capture in bright sunlight, low-noise operation, and reliable performance in wet environments.
• Faster image capture with LED user guidance and 360-degree finger placement for quick, intuitive user experience.
• Encrypted device-to-host communication with application locking for end-to-end protection.
• Certifications: FBI Fingerprint Acquisition Profile FAP 20 for image quality standards and for image quality.
• NIST Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors compliance for dependable matching.

"EcoID III significantly lowers the price point of high-quality fingerprint scanners meeting rigorous quality standards such as FBI FAP 20, PIV and NIBSS, making strong, convenient biometrics accessible to more organizations," said Jim Sullivan, BIO-key SVP of Strategy and Chief Legal Officer. "By pairing encrypted device-to-host communications with liveness detection, EcoID III gives enterprises a fast, more secure way to authenticate users without phones or tokens. We’re already delivering the first volume orders to our government customers."

Availability
BIO-key EcoID III is available through BIO-key and authorized partners. For specifications, demos, or pricing, contact BIO-key sales at sales@bio-key.com.

BIO-key’s Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB), PortalGuard^® IAM, and Passkey:YOU™ solutions are empowering organisations across government, healthcare, and enterprise sectors to embrace a passwordless, phoneless, and tokenless future.

About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.BIO-key.com)
BIO-key is revolutionising authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software, securing access for millions of users worldwide. BIO-key enables organisations to choose the right authentication factors for diverse use cases, including Identity-Bound Biometrics, passwordless logins, and other advanced options. Its hosted or on-premise PortalGuard^® IAM platform provides cost-effective, secure, and user-friendly access to systems, applications, and high-value data.

Engage with BIO-key
Facebook – Corporate: https://www.facebook.com/BIOkeyInternational/
LinkedIn – Corporate: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bio-key-international
X – Corporate: @BIOkeyIntl
X – Investors: @BIO_keyIR
StockTwits: BIO_keyIR

Contact
William Jones, David Collins
Catalyst IR
BKYI@catalyst-ir.com or 212-924-9800

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f775e422-05d9-4351-aca5-7a47d6a6392f

FAQ

What certifications does BIO-key EcoID III (BKYI) have as of October 21, 2025?

EcoID III holds FBI FAP 20, NIST PIV, and NIBSS certifications.

How does the EcoID III affect Windows Hello and FIDO2 support for BKYI customers?

EcoID III enables Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business on desktops and adds FIDO2 Platform authentication to supported devices.

Is BIO-key shipping EcoID III units to government customers (BKYI)?

BIO-key reported it is delivering the first volume orders to government customers and lists availability through BIO-key and authorized partners.

What security features does the EcoID III fingerprint scanner provide for BKYI users?

Key security features include liveness detection/anti-spoofing, encrypted device-to-host communication, and application locking for end-to-end protection.

Does EcoID III work with existing BIO-key PortalGuard and Passkey:YOU deployments (BKYI)?

Yes; EcoID III interoperates with over 30 fingerprint scanners already supported by PortalGuard and Passkey:YOU.