Biometrics Ryan Epling

What Are Biometrics? “Automated methods of verifying or recognizing a living person on the basis of some physiological characteristics, such as fingerprint or iris patterns, or some aspects of behavior, such as handwriting or keystroke patterns. “

Types of Biometrics Fingerprint Recognition Facial Recognition Iris Recognition Retinal Scan Hand Geometry

Fingerprint Recognition Matches a specific fingerprint against a database of fingerprints to verify an identity. Advantages: – Fingerprints are unique – Technology involved is reasonably priced – Commonly accepted practice – Very accurate – Difficult to reproduce Disadvantages: – More intrusive than username/password type identification – Injuries can effect the fingerprint scanning process

Fingerprint Identification Possible Uses: – Gaining access to a computer system – Gaining access to a secure facility – Proof of identification in the US court system – Airport Security – ATMs

Facial Recognition Takes a digital image and compares facial features against a database to identify an individual. Advantages: – Faces are captured in public – Can be done from a distance – No physical contact necessary – Criminal Mug shots readily available Disadvantages: – Invasion of privacy

Facial Recognition Possible Uses: – Smart Home – Identifying African Elephants – Security at sporting events – Airport Security – To prevent voter fraud

Iris Recognition Takes a high resolution digital image of an individual’s irises, and uses pattern recognition techniques to verify the individual’s identity. Advantages: – Internal organism, so it is well protected – Shape is more predictable – Iris texture is unique even in genetically identical individuals – Texture stays very stable over long periods of time Disadvantages: – Incompatible with the fingerprint recognition systems that have already been invested in – Difficult to perform if the individual does not cooperate

Iris Recognition Possible Uses: – Passports – Border control (United Arab Emirates) – CANPASS Air (pre-approved, low risk) – ATMs – Airport personnel identification

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