One-touch logon for computers using a fingerprint scan is now a reality for SACU's almost 700 employees. SACU has launched the use of DigitalPersona's readers and software, using biometrics authentication, which provides secure access to computers and more than 250 software applications.

Employees experience the convenience of logging on to their workstations and applications with one touch of a finger. SACU purchased a combination of DigitalPersona U.are.U® readers and keyboards and also has laptops with built-in fingerprint readers. Biometrics project sponsor Bob Dimas said, "SACU's biometrics initiative significantly improves our security because passwords are no longer needed for each system or application. With faster logons and reduced lockouts caused by incorrect passwords, we are able to respond more quickly to our members' needs."

The project experienced great success because the IT implementation team conducted an extensive pilot program. They also recruited and trained representatives from each department within the credit union as "biometrics subject matter experts (SMEs)." The department SMEs set up their team members' finger scans and taught them how to use the readers. The team also staggered the installation of the readers and implementation of the program in the departments over a 60-day period. This was impressive as well, because an organization of SACU's size normally takes 120 days to install and implement.

"The return on the investment can be measured in a number of ways, including the immediate benefits of increased security and time savings," Dimas commented. "Over the long term, time savings can be translated into dollars through the efficiency of service and lessened manpower to provide password resets, but it is hard to assign a dollar value for increased security. We just know it is good for our cooperative and for our members."