The AET60 BioCARDKey, a smart card reader integrated with fingerprint technology, allows a biometric system to be affordable, flexible and secure via multi-factor authentication. Two- or three-factor authentication is achieved by the combination of fingerprint, smart card and PIN/password. Unlike fingerprint-only systems, a BioCARDKey-based system does not require extra provision of fingerprint algorithm, database, server and network connectivity, making set-up and maintenance simple. And by employing local-site authentication, the highly scalable BioCARDKey system facilitates any application or security upgrade.