What are biometrics?
Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. They include fingerprints, retinal and iris scanning, hand and finger geometry, voice patterns, facial recognition, and other techniques. The biometric technologies are becoming the foundation of an extensive array of highly secure identification and personal verification solutions. Biometrics is expected to be incorporated in solutions to provide for Homeland Security including applications for improving airport security, strengthening our national borders, in travel documents, visas and in preventing ID theft. Now, more than ever, there is a wide range of interest in biometrics across federal, state, and local governments. Congressional offices and a large number of organizations involved in many markets are addressing the important role that biometrics will play in identifying and verifying the identity of individuals and protecting national assets. There are many needs fo
The Home Office says that: “A biometric is a unique identifying physical characteristic. Examples include facial recognition, iris patterns and fingerprints.” Biometrics is not simple. Biometrics is the science of measuring and statistically analyzing human body characteristics, such as faces, iris patterns, fingerprints, voice recognition and so on. Features of them are not always unique, and so biometrics works with the statistical probability rather than offering definite identification. The idea is an added “safeguard” to prevent another person from using your ID card. A fingerprint is much more difficult to forge than a signature. But that relies on biometric data being checked every time the card is used. Each check against the national database will be recorded.
Biometrics are used to identify people based on their biological traits. This growing technological field has deep implications because proving identity is becoming an integral part of our daily lives. To uncover the prevalence that biometrics could attain, let us consider an ordinary day of Thomas. Thomas wakes up in the morning, and checks his email on his computer. His service provider requires that Thomas confirm that it is he that is checking his account; instead of entering a username and password, he presses his thumb against a biometric scanner on his keyboard. The system confirms that it is, in fact, Thomas and grants him access to his messages. On his way to work, he enters his car but instead of using a key to identify him as the owner of the vehicle, another biometric scanner checks his fingerprint to confirm that he has the permission to enter. A biometric hand-recognition device confirms that it is Thomas and allows him entrance to the building at work. Thomas’ work compu
