What is Biometrics ?
• The meaning of Biometrics comes from the Greeks. Biometry = bio(life) + metry(to measure).
• Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and analyzing biological data.
• The first known example of biometrics in practice was a form of finger printing being used in China in the 14th century.
• Biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics such as DNA, fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns,facial patterns and hand measurments for authentication purposes.
• Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic.
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How Biometrics Works ?Biometrics
Biometrics systems work by recording and comparing biometric characteristics.
When an individual first uses a biometric system, their identifying features are enrolled as a reference for future comparison. This reference may be stored in a central database or on a card (or both) depending on the needs of the application.
When biometric recognition is required, the individual 's biometric characteristics are recorded again. This time however, the identifying features are compared by the system with the stored reference to determine if there is a close match
A biometric system can operate in two modes
Identification:• A one to many comparison of the captured biometric against a
biometric database in attempt to identify an unknown individual.
Verification:• A one to one comparison of a captured biometric with a stored
template to verify that the individual is who he claims to be. • Verification is faster and performs better.• In a verification, the user must first enter his or her identity to the
biometric system. User ID's can be forgotten and cards can be lost, making access impossible.
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Advantages of Biometrics
• Biometrics are generally used for authentication.
• It provides higher security .e.g. Iris recognition .
• Voice Recognition works well over the telephone
• User friendly
e.g. Hand geometry recognization,
finger print recognition.
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Disadvantages of Biometrics
• Retina recognization requires close physical contact of the scanning device, may not be generally accepted by public
• Costly• Voice recognization requires large amount of computer
storage, people's voices can change, background noises can interfere.
• Biometrics features may change over time.• Signature recognization has poor long-term reliability,
accuracy difficult to ensure.
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Comparision of Biometrics TypeBiometric Type Accuracy Easy to use User Acceptance
Fingerprint High Medium Low
Hand Geometry Medium High Medium
Voice Medium High High
Retina High Low Low
Iris Medium Medium Medium
Signature Medium Medium High
Face Low High High
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Application
• Criminal identification
• Prison security
• ATM and other Financial Transactions
• PC/LAN Login
• Database access
• Border crossing controls
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Future Development
Biometry is one of the most promising and life-altering technologies in existence today. It is all set to change the way we live in the future. Some of the emerging biometrics technologies in the near future are:
1. Ear shape identification.
2. Body odor identification.
3. Body salinity identification.
4. EEG Fingerprint
5. DNA matching
Conclusion
• Technology is growing rapidly, but at the same time security breaches and transactions frauds are also in the increase world over.
• Biometric is an emerging area with many opportunities for growth.
• All agencies including libraries who are in need of security and safety have to adopt biometrics
• Let us hope for safe and secure future.
Biometrics