Biometric Technology Options

Biometric technology has advanced at a rapid rate in recent decades and some of the ways it can be used to confirm an individuals identity are nothing short of mind-boggling. Some of the things we used to see in science fiction movies in the recent past will soon be part of our everyday lives.

Biometric technology uses intrinsic physical characteristics such as iris or retina scans, fingerprints, voice recognition, and many other human characteristics to verify identity with amazing accuracy and quickness. Every biometric test is based on quantifiable physical characteristics or behavior. Physical biometric tests are related to physical body parts and include:

Fingerprints: The unique blueprint shaped by raised marks found on the fingertips can be used to identify individuals.

Face: Facial recognition examines the face and or the temperature on the face determined by the blood flow under the skin.

Hand: Hand geometry investigates & examines the silhouette and distinctiveness of individuals hands.

Iris: The colored ring of tissue that surrounds the pupil is examined with an iris scan.

Retina: Blood vessels positioned at the back of the eye form an exclusive "fingerprint" (or retinal print) which can be analyzed through retina scanning.

Handwriting analysis: This involves more than just examining the signature itself. Signature authentication analyzes the momentum, velocity, and force of the hand as an individual signs his or her name in their own unique way.

Keystroke dynamics: Keystroke dynamics, measures the rapidity, pressure, and rhythm of keystrokes as an individual keys in on a keyboard.

Biometrics can also be an amalgamation of physical characteristics and behavioral traits such as:

Voice: Voice recognition canisters acoustically recognize both biological characteristics (oral cords, nasal opening, and the mouth) and behavioral characteristics (tone, cadence, and pronunciation).

Biometric security systems can be designed in numerous ways with the obvious goal of imitating or copying a specific biometric. Biometric systems are evolving quickly in terms of their ability to distinguish among real and recreated biometrics, in ways that are cost-effective and do not significantly increase processing times. The following exemplifies how biometric security systems can be sometimes be fooled by duplicate or copied biometrics.

Voice: It is possible to trick even the most sophisticated voice authentication systems with very high-quality soundtrack of the user's voice.

Finger Images: Attempts at hoodwinking fingerprint image authentication techniques center around tricking the reader with fake fingerprints.

Facial Recognition: One way to possibly trick a biometric system is to hold a picture of an authorized person in front of an impostor's face.

All these issues can be mitigated by using more sophisticated equipment and also by requiring two or more biometrics used together before access is granted. Get ready. Biometric technology is here to stay.