AuthenTec, Inc. was a

semiconductor A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Its conductivity can be modified by adding impurities (" doping") to its crystal structure. When two regions with different doping level ...

computer security Computer security (also cybersecurity, digital security, or information technology (IT) security) is a subdiscipline within the field of information security. It consists of the protection of computer software, systems and computer network, n ...

mobile security Mobile security, or mobile device security, is the protection of smartphones, tablets, and laptops from threats associated with wireless computing. It has become increasingly important in mobile computing. The Information security, security of pe ...

, identity management,

biometrics Biometrics are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics and features. Biometric authentication (or realistic authentication) is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. It is also used t ...

, and touch control solutions company based in

Melbourne, Florida Melbourne ( ) is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located southeast of Orlando, Florida, Orlando along Florida's Space Coast, named because of the region's proximity to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. The city ...

. Founded in 1998 after being spun off from Harris Semiconductor, AuthenTec provided mobile security software licenses to mobile manufacturing companies, and biometrics sensor technology, such as fingerprint sensors and NFC technology to mobile and computer manufacturers. On 27 July 2012, AuthenTec was acquired by Apple Inc. for $356 million.

History

In 1998, AuthenTec was spun off from parent company Harris Semiconductor, and in June 2007 became a publicly traded company. In 2008, AuthenTec acquired EzValidation. Then in 2009, AuthenTec acquired Atrua Technologies for $5m. In 2010, AuthenTec acquired SafeNet's Embedded Security Solutions division and merged with UPEK. On 2 August 2011, AuthenTec began collaborating with

NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a Dutch semiconductor manufacturing and design company with headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands. It is the third largest European semiconductor company by market capitalization as of 2024. The company employs approx ...

and mobile payment software firm DeviceFidelity to provide a combination of wireless chips, sensors, mobile applications and micro-SD cards to manufacturers and mobile network carriers of Android devices to support NFC mobile payments and transportation

check-in Check-in is the process whereby people announce their arrival at an office, hotel, airport, hospital, port, seaport or event. Office check-in Many offices have a reception or front office area near the entrance to greet or assist visitors arriv ...

s. AuthenTec was acquired by Apple Inc. for $356M on 27 July 2012.

Products and services

*TruePrint smart sensors *TrueSuite identity management software *TrueProtect embedded security products (formerly SafeNet Embedded Security Solutions) * Touch ID

References

Access control Biometrics Computer companies established in 1998 Computer security companies Data security Companies based in Brevard County, Florida Melbourne, Florida Corporate spin-offs Defunct semiconductor companies of the United States Fabless semiconductor companies Identity management Apple Inc. acquisitions 2007 initial public offerings Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq 2012 mergers and acquisitions Defunct computer companies of the United States Defunct computer hardware companies Defunct software companies of the United States {{Security-stub