RIYADH, 18 July 2005 — A Jeddah-based security firm has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with a Canadian company for providing security measures covering entry into the Kingdom.

The new measure comes against the backdrop of terrorist violence in the Kingdom and the discovery that Younus Al-Hayari (Moroccan national), the most wanted terrorist shot dead recently, had entered the Kingdom on Haj visa and overstayed to engage in criminal activities.

A spokesman of Saudi Minerva Co. Ltd. said that under the agreement, Liska Biometry of Canada would provide an integrated security solution to the problem of overstayers among pilgrims. The agreement outlines the next phase for the introduction of biometrically enabled ID management and security systems.

Under the agreement, Liska and Minerva will work together to provide security-related integrated management software suite. They have already begun studies for several potential clients, such as the Ministry of Interior and Public Security.

“We are excited about expanding the reach of our current security offerings,” said Khaled Rajab, director general of Saudi Minerva.

Saudi Minerva Company Ltd. is a multinational private company that specializes in the installation of fire protection and security systems. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Jeddah.

A recent survey of the security situation in the Kingdom has disclosed that a majority of companies here are considering the introduction of biometric technology to increase workplace security.

Biometric technology made its debut in the United States in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks to have a digital facial record and finger printing of the visitors to the US. Since then, some EU countries have made use of the technology for scanning visitors to that region.

The survey showed that 56 percent of the Saudi firms were planning to introduce the iris scanning and fingerprint recognition systems for increased security in office buildings. Fifteen percent of Saudi firms expected the implementation of the new system to take place within the two years. This was in addition to the growing adoption of the biometric technology by border control and public sector organizations.

The survey revealed that more than half of Saudi companies (53 percent) felt that the use of biometrics in office buildings was warranted in the light of the current situation. Thirty-one percent of the respondents were apprehensive that the biometric information could be misused either by companies or government agencies.

An important element of biometrics technology is establishing identity by comparing a persons appearance with records held in a database. Methods include iris scanning, fingerprinting, retinal pattern and facial appearance scanning.

The human iris, which is the ring of colored tissue surrounding the pupil, has random patterns unique to each individual. It is a human equivalent of a “bar code.” Unlike fingerprints, iris “prints” are not subject to environmental damage and because it is transparent, the iris can be easily identified with a high degree of certainty.