Biometrics

Outline Of Topics What Is Biometrics How Biometrics Work Goals Of Biometrics Measuring Performance Types Of Biometric Devices & Explanation Uses Now & In The Future Problems & Conflicts

What is Biometrics? The study of methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits In computing terms biometrics relates to the ability of a computer to uniquely identity humans based on physical or behavioral traits They are generally thought to be the most secure method of authenticating a person

How Biometric Devices Work 1. Initial scanning of individual’s identity 2. Information is saved as electronic copy in a database 3. When login occurs, the individual’s identity is scanned again 4. The data is compared to the saved copy in the database 5. The user is authenticated

Goals Of Biometric Devices All of the following criteria should be met in order create a proper biometric device Universality – Does Each Person Have It? Uniqueness – Is It Unique Per individual? Permanence – Does It Have Lasting Power? Collectability – Is It Measured Easily? Performance – Is The Device Accurate, Fast?

Measuring Performance When measuring biometric performance the following are the primary attributes used : Accuracy Reliability(Causes of Errors) False Positives False Negatives Ease Of Use Cost

Measuring Performance Accuracy – How well the device can tell different users apart Reliability – How often a device give an accurate reading of a user. Many factors contribute to a false reading False Positives – How easy a fake user can impersonate a real user False Negatives – How often a real user is denied access

Measuring Performance Ease Of Use – The ability for non-technical user’s to use the system. Cost – The cost, initial and reoccurring associated with maintaining a biometric device or system of devices

Types Of Biometrics Biometrics can identity a unique person using the following methods: Physiological Trait Identification Behavioral Trait Identification

Physiological Feature Based Biometric Devices These type of devices use traits of the body to identify a person, and include: Fingerprints Face Recognition Iris Recognition Retinal Recognition Hand Geometry

Examples Of Physiological Based Devices Fingerprint Scanner Hand Geometry Scanner

Behavioral Feature Based Biometric Devices These type of devices use unique behavioral characteristics to identify a person, and include: Keystrokes Voice (could also be classified as a physiological characteristic, however recently it is more focused on how one speaks to uniquely identify, thus making it behavioral based)

Performance Comparisons

Uses Of Biometrics Protect data and other sensitive material Use in law enforcement and surveillance Employee monitoring and record keeping Protect automobile and other personal objects. In The Future: Identifying people without physical ID Medical Purposes Passports

Problems & Conflicts No Agreed Upon Standard Shortcomings Privacy (Big Brother) Physical Harm Possibility of Physical Change

Questions?