Biometrics:
Generally, the study of measurable biological characteristics. In computer security, biometrics refers to authentication techniques that rely on measurable physical characteristics that can be automatically checked. Examples include computer analysis of fingerprints or speech.
Though the field is still in its infancy, many people believe that biometrics will play a critical role in future computers, and especially in electronic commerce. Personal computers of the future might include a fingerprint scanner where you could place your index finger. The computer would analyze your fingerprint to determine who you are and, based on your identity, authorize you different levels of access. Access levels could include the ability to use credit card information to make electronic purchases.The terms "Biometrics" and "Biometry" have been used since early in the 20th century to refer to the field of development of statistical and mathematical methods applicable to data analysis problems in the biological sciences. Statistical methods for the analysis of data from agricultural field experiments to compare the yields of different varieties of wheat, for the analysis of data from human clinical trials evaluating the relative effectiveness of competing therapies for disease, or for the analysis ofor data from environmental studies on the effects of air or water pollution on the appearance of human disease in a region or country are all examples of problems that would fall under the umbrella of "Biometrics" as the term has been historically used. The journal "Biometrics" is a scholarly publication sponsored by a non-profit professional society (the International Biometric Society) devoted to the dissemination of accounts of the development of such methods and their application in real scientific contexts.
Recently, the term "Biometrics" has also been used to refer to the emerging field of technology devoted to identification of individuals using biological traits, such as those based on retinal or iris scanning, fingerprints, or face recognition.
An Overview of Biometrics:
Biometrics refers to the automatic identification of a person based on his/her physiological or behavioral characteristics. This method of identification is preferred over traditional methods involving passwords and PIN numbers for various reasons:]
(i) the person to be identified is required to be physically present at the point-of-identification;
(ii) identification based on biometric techniques obviates the need to remember a password or carry a token.
With the increased use of computers as vehicles of information technology, it is necessary to restrict access to sensitive/personal data. By replacing PINs, biometric techniques can potentially prevent unauthorized access to or fraudulent use of ATMs, cellular phones, smart cards, desktop PCs, workstations, and computer networks. PINs and passwords may be forgotten, and token-based methods of identification like passports and driver's licenses may be forged, stolen, or lost. Thus biometric systems of identification are enjoying a renewed interest. Various types of biometric systems are being used for real-time identification; the most popular are based on face recognition and fingerprint matching. However, there are other biometric systems that utilize iris and retinal scan, speech, facial thermograms, and hand geometry.
A biometric system is essentially a pattern recognition system, which makes a personal identification by determining the authenticity of a specific physiological or behavioral characteristic possessed by the user. An important issue in designing a practical system is to determine how an individual is identified. Depending on the context, a biometric system can be either a verification (authentication) system or an identification system.
Verification vs. Identification:
There are two different ways to resolve a person's identity: verification and identification. Verification (Am I whom I claim I am?) involves confirming or denying a person's claimed identity. In identification, one has to establish a person's identity (Who am I?). Each one of these approaches has it's own complexities and could probably be solved best by a certain biometric system.
Applications:
Biometrics is a rapidly evolving technology, which is being widely used in forensics such as criminal identification and prison security, and has the potential to be used in a large range of civilian application areas. Biometrics can be used to prevent unauthorized access to ATMs, cellular phones, smart cards, desktop PCs, workstations, and computer networks. It can be used during transactions conducted via telephone and internet (electronic commerce and electronic banking). In automobiles, biometrics can replace keys with key-less entry devices.
Very interesting applications:
The following excerpts from a cover story by Orla O'Sullivan , published in January provide an insight into the amount of interesting work being carried out in the field of biometrics.Fingerscan has the world's largest application of biometrics in the servicing of automated teller machines. In conjunction with a contractor called Armaguard, which services ATMs for Australian banks, 1,400 ATMs now are unlocked by the representative's fingerprint. The representative brings a portable scanning device that plugs into the back of the ATM and connects to the bank's server, which grants him admittance. Unequivocally identifying who entered and how long he stayed helps keep the representative honest.
Credit cards next
The beauty of a biometric trait is that it is as unique as the individual from whom it was created. Unlike a password or PIN, a biometric trait cannot be lost, stolen, or recreated. This makes biometrics an obvious antidote to identity theft, a problem that is mushrooming alongside databases of personal information. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group estimates that up to 6% of all card fraud in 1995 ($1.5 billion) was identity fraud while, in 1996, identity fraud at Mastercard International Inc. quadrupled from the previous year. Publicity of this issue, lately, probably ensures that the specter of The-Invasion-of-The-Bodysnatchers probably outweighs the Orwellian one for most people.
Beyond finger scans
As the photos on the opening page of this article and on the cover suggest, there's more to biometrics than finger-based measures. There's hand geometry, retina scans, and iris scans to choose from in physiology. There are also quasi-behavioral attributes that can be measured--how one speaks, or how one writes, are two in use.
Then there is facial recognition, in which an image of a person's face is stored digitally when the person opens an account. At each transaction, a tiny camera feeds a live image of the person to a database which compares the image to the one stored and to the account number.
Chase tries voice
Chase Manhattan Bank recently decided to use voice verification for customer identification following a review of several types of biometrics. Elizabeth Boyle, who led the trials and is now an independent consultant, said Chase's research found 95% of consumers would accept voice verification, compared with 80% accepting fingerprinting.
Another reason it chose voice over fingerprints and signatures was that voice works remotely (by phone) whereas special readers would need to be installed in consumer's homes for the others. (FingerScan said all vendors are moving in this direction, adding that it is in talks with the Central Bank of Asia regarding a home banking application for the bank's preferred customers.)
Interesting , isn’t it.
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