How Is Uncle Sam Using Biometric Technology?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently began testing biometric technology to control access to a business services website used by employers to report earnings and withholding information. The SSA hopes the system will reduce the cost of mailing passwords to site users. The SSA likes the idea of a biometric solution using voiceprint technology because it doesn't require additional hardware equipment such as scanners or readers. It also integrates easily with the website because it works off the existing phone system.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is also testing biometric technology at the Pentagon Athletic Club on a voluntary basis. The process of "enrolling" an individual into the biometric authentication system takes roughly two minutes. Eventually the goal is to eliminate ID cards.

Biometric Technology in the Health Care Industry

Military personnel are not strangers to security checkpoints but some civilians are finding the adjustment a bit tougher. One hospital with a staff of about 3,000 has installed a fingerprint reader system. Before the biometric system was installed each individual needed his or her own user name and password to access systems. This can prove cumbersome as user names and passwords are easily forgotten and if they are written down then it becomes fairly easy for someone to gain unauthorized access. The biometric system has made it easier for busy doctors to access medical records, has increased security, and has also helped the hospital comply with strict new regulations for accessing medical records. Despite these benefits, not all the staff likes the biometric system. Many people are simply resistant to any change.

Biometric Technology in the Financial Services Industry

Banks and credit unions are also adopting biometric technology in an effort to increase security and reduce costs. One executive admits hackers have a variety of tools that can easily crack passwords. He also says employees with many passwords to remember will write them down where they can easily be compromised. Biometric security systems offer a cost-effective and more secure alternative.

The implementation of a fingerprint scanner for access to critical applications has increased security and decreased the cost of managing passwords. Considering the volume of sensitive personal and financial information banks and credit unions handle on a daily basis, security is critical.

The Future of Biometric Technology

Biometric technology shows great promise as a solution to the widespread identity theft epidemic. By using unique intrinsic physical characteristics that are much more difficult to steal than keys, ATM cards, and PIN numbers, the financial services industry believes biometric systems can drastically reduce identity theft.

Biometric technology could also boost consumer confidence in e-commerce by using biometrics to ensure a buyer is who he or she says they are. Biometric systems will also reduce the risks to online merchants. To encourage the use of biometric identifiers, look for credit card companies and online merchants to offer discounts to shoppers who present biometric proof of identity.

Several states are using biometric systems in conjunction with drivers licenses. Uses range from requiring fingerprints before a license is granted to actually embedding the biometrics on the drivers license itself. One official says biometrics can't confirm the identity of an applicant when the license is issued but it can prevent and individual from fraudulently obtaining multiple licenses under different names.

As biometric databases grow, employers are likely to use biometric technology to do quick background checks on potential candidates. It's also possible that the credit reporting agencies will build biometric databases.

In addition to cost and reliability obstacles, privacy advocates raise concerns about the creation of a massive Big Brother-like database. But despite those concerns, the US government is now requiring foreign visitors to use biometric passports and visas to gain admission through US airports and seaports. It's only a matter of time before biometrics are integrated into military ID cards and possibly even national ID cards to be carried by every US citizen. Like it or not, biometric technology is here to stay.