Biometrics Explained In Brief

What are Biometrics?

Biometrics is the measurement and analysis of someone’s unique physical and behavioural characteristics. This technology is used for identification (figuring out who someone is) and authentication (identifying if someone is who they say they are). The word “biometrics” is derived from the word “biometry”, which refers to the statistical analysis of biological observations and phenomena.

Biometric identifiers are unique to each individual, and are therefore more reliable in verifying identity than token and knowledge-based methods, such as passwords and identity cards .

Biometric technologies consist of both hardware and software. A biometric identification device is hardware that gathers, reads and compares biometric data.

Biometric data is a sample taken from an individual which is unique to their own person. Software embedded within biometric technologies includes a biometric engine that processes gathered biometric data. The software typically works in tandem with the hardware to operate the biometric data capture process, extract the data, and undertake comparison, including data matching.

Biometric technologies can also be classified further according to the type of biometrics being used in the system. The technologies are typically used to either identify persons and their characteristic against a database, such as criminal records, or to authenticate the identity of persons to grant them access to computing resources, devices or facilities.

Biometric identifiers, or modalities, are often categorised as either “physiological” or “behavioural”. Physiological biometric identifiers are related to a person’s physicality and include: fingerprint recognition, hand geometry, odour/scent, iris scans, DNA, palm print and facial recognition.

Behavioural characteristics are related to the pattern of behaviour of a person and include: keystroke dynamics, gait analysis, voice recognition, mouse use characteristics, signature analysis and cognitive biometrics.

Conclusion

Biometrics may seem complicated but they all use the same components: a sensor to read and record information; a computer to store the information; and software to connect the hardware to the sensor.
Although increased use may also raise serious concerns about privacy and security, biometrics are more likely to be the ID and access cards of the future. With biometric technology, you cannot deny your identity.