Biometric Security what does it mean?

By: Keara Barrett

The introduction of the U.S. scheme to fingerprint and photograph visitors from most countries in an attempt to avert potential terrorists and the plan to insert a biometric chip in all passports has raised many questions.

Biometrics, which comes from the Greek hybrid of words bio meaning life and metry meaning to measure, are becoming popular alternatives or additions to traditional authentication approaches (the process of verifying the identity of a person). The introduction of biometric chips in passports is an example of the integration of biometric technology with older authentication methods.

Biometrics techniques exploit humans' unique physical or behavioural traits in order to authenticate people. Common physical biometric techniques include fingerprinting, hand or palm geometry scanning, retina scans, iris scans, and facial pattern analysis. Biometrics based on behavioural characteristics includes signatures, gait, keystroke patterns and voice recognition.
Advantages and disadvantages of biometrics vary for the different biometric security systems. For example, retinal scans, which take a scan of the innermost layer of blood vessels at the back of the eye, have a very high accuracy rate and because the retina remains constant over a lifetime it is reliable. However, a retinal scan does require close physical contact with the scanning device that can be inconvenient particularly for those who wear glasses and many people are cautious about the close contact with the scanning device.

Fingerprint analysis, which examines the pattern on the fingertip, are a widely accepted form of biometric security probably because it is the oldest form. This means that it is quite inexpensive for a biometric security device and it is not surprising that it is extensively deployed for PC access control. In addition to the favourable price, fingerprint analysers are small, achieve a relatively high accuracy rate and are easily integrated into many systems.

However, residue on the finger, dryness and ageing can alter the fingerprint that could cause recognition problems. Fingerprint analysis also has criminal associations, causing a somewhat negative attitude towards it as an authentication tool.

Voice recognition, one of the more user-friendly and effortless biometric systems, converts a persons voice wavelengths into a digital representation that is stored in a databank. Like all other biometric systems it does have its drawback. Voice can easily be recorded and replayed as a result it will most probably be used in conjunction with other biometric technologies or for low-level security.

This new wave of biometric security brings with it the question of how to guard the individual privacy. As individuals movements and transactions are recorded and stored it is all too easy to compromise their privacy. In the US, visitors biometric information will be stored for up to 75 years and while agreements and safeguards will be put in place to protect privacy there are no real guarantees with regard to what the information will be used for and who may gain access to it.

Biometric security techniques are in use in a wide variety of applications. In the U.S.; fingerprint scans are in use to crack down on people claiming welfare benefits under different names and some jails have introduced iris scans to ensure the correct people are relocated or released. The university of Indiana has integrated fingerprint scanners into the ATMs to eliminate the need for bankcards. At the 1996 Olympic Games, hand geometry scanners were installed in the Olympic Village to process millions of transactions to control access into the village in a timely manner. These examples are only a brief illustration of the various biometric techniques deployed today, and the uses of biometrics are continuing to increase on a daily basis.