The last year has seen a major push forward in fingerprint security and recognition for devices, most specifically since Apple integrated TouchID and Apple Pay Solutions into their most recent line of iPhones and iPads. By simply pressing your digit to the home button, you can securely purchase apps and services through your device; without fear that someone can come along and do the same if your device is left temporarily unmanned. Now, thanks to a company called Synaptics (the leading maker of laptop trackpads), the same security will soon be available for your laptop.

Fingerprint sensors have been used in business laptops for years. Recently they’ve made their way onto smartphones and tablets, but consumer PCs have been left relatively out of the game – until now. This week Synaptics, a major player in both the touchpad and fingerprint authentication businesses, announced their SecurePad, a touchpad with a 4mm by 10mm fingerprint sensor built into the upper-left corner. The announcement comes right on the heels of the release of FIDO’s version 1.0 fingerprint-authentication standard, which should pave the way for a more widespread use of fingerprint technology. Synaptics is already a member of the FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance, which is backed by tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Samsung, Lenovo and Dell, as well as by major monetary players including Visa, MasterCard, Bank of America and PayPal. In Synaptics’ announcement this week, they confirmed that the SecurePad would work with “any online service that supports the FIDO Unified Authentication Framework”.

The SecurePad is currently only available for OEMs to start building into their laptops, but it seems a certainty that it is soon headed to consumer PCs. So far we know that it is said to support your fingerprint “at any angle”. Built into the touchpad is a “next-generation matching engine” that helps prevent the frustration of failed logins. To achieve ultimate levels of security, Synaptics encrypts all data transmitted to and from the host processor and the sensor on the SecurePad. Plus, the tiny footprint of the scanner itself makes it usable in a variety of situations. Synaptics has also confirmed that the sensor is compatible with both the one-button Clickpad as well as its newer, pressure-sensitive ForcePad.

While initially we will likely only see the SecurePad come standard in high-end PCs, the technology should soon trickle down to the masses. Either way, the SecurePad is sure to be a buzzed-about item at the CES 2015 taking place next month.