Biometrics
Biometrics is the science of
uniquely recognizing humans
based upon one or more physical or behavioral traits. In information
technology, in particular, biometrics is used as a form of identity access
management and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in
groups that are under surveillance.
Biometric characteristics can be divided in two main classes:
 Physiological are related to the shape of the body. Examples include,
but are not limited to fingerprint, face recognition, DNA, hand and
palm geometry, iris recognition, which has largely replaced retina,
and odor/scent.
 Behavioral are related to the behavior of a person. Examples include,
but are not limited to typing rhythm, gait, and voice.
Strictly speaking, voice is also a physiological trait because every
person has a different vocal tract, but voice recognition is mainly
based on the study of the way a person speaks, commonly classified
as behavioral.
It is possible to understand if a human characteristic can be used
for biometrics in terms of the following factors:
 Universality – each person should have the characteristic.
 Uniqueness – is how well the biometric separates individuals
from another.
 Permanence – measures how well a biometric resists aging and
other variance over time.
 Collectability – ease of acquisition or getting the factor for
measurement.
 Performance – accuracy, speed, and toughness of technology.
 Acceptability – degree of approval of a technology.
 Circumvention – ease of using a substitute and getting around
the technology.
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A biometric system can operate in the following two modes:
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.
Identification – A one to many comparison of the captured
biometric against a biometric database in attempt to identify an
unknown individual.
MY NOTES
What is biometrics?
What parts of the body
are commonly used in
biometrics?
What factor(s) do you
think is the hardest to
guarantee in biometrics?
Why?
What can happen if the
biometric is really secure
and a thief is determined
to gain access to the
information?
The first time an individual
uses a biometric system is called an
enrollment. During the enrollment,
biometric information from an
individual is stored. In subsequent
uses, biometric information is
detected and compared with the
At Walt Disney World biometric
information stored at the time of
measurements are taken from the fingers of
guest to ensure that the person's ticket is
enrollment. Note that it is crucial that
used by the same person from day to day.
storage and retrieval of such systems
themselves be secure if the biometric system is to be robust, or tough.
When thieves cannot get access to secure properties, there is a
chance that the thieves will stalk and assault the property owner to gain
access. If the item is secured with a biometric device, the damage to the
owner could be irreversible, and potentially cost more than the secured
property. For example, in 2005, Malaysian car thieves cut off the finger
of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class owner when attempting to steal the car.
The modern science of using the body to verify a person's identity
dates back to 1882, when Frenchman Alphonse Bertillion proposed a
forensic system of identifying people based on the size of their bodies,
heads and limbs. This system quickly lost favour, however, to an
alternative method of fingerprint analysis (dactyloscopy) that was
described in the late 1800s by English scientist Sir Francis Galton and
adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901 after being formally developed by Sir
Edward Henry.
Cancelable biometrics
One advantage of passwords over biometrics is that they can be
re-issued. If a token or a password is lost or stolen, it can be cancelled
and replaced by a newer version. This is not naturally available in
biometrics. If someone’s face is compromised from a database, they
cannot cancel or reissue it. Cancelable biometrics is a way in which to
incorporate protection and the replacement features into biometrics.
The United States government has become a strong advocate of
biometrics with the increase in fear of terrorism since September 11,
2001. The FBI is currently spending $1 billion to create a new biometric
database, which will store DNA, fingerprints, and other biometric data.
What types of biometrics
have been used for
years?
What is one
disadvantage of
biometrics?
The computers running the database will be contained in an underground
facility about the size of a football field.
Both the Department of Homeland Security and DARPA are
heavily funding research into facial recognition systems. The
Information Processing Technology Office, ran a program known as
Human Identification at a Distance which developed technologies that
are capable of identifying a person at up to 500 ft by their facial features.
Starting in 2005, US passports with facial (image-based)
biometric data were scheduled to be produced. Privacy activists in many
countries have criticized the technology's use for the potential harm to
civil liberties, privacy, and the risk of identity theft. Currently, there is
some apprehension in the United States (and the European Union) that
the information can be "skimmed" and identify people's citizenship
remotely for criminal intent, such as kidnapping.
Biometric technologies have been found in a number of popular
cinema released films. This alone has created an interest, from general
consumers, as a means of identifying oneself. In 2003 both X-Men 2 and
Hulk used biometric recognition technologies in the form of hand access
control in X-Men 2 and fingerprint access in Hulk.
It wasn't however until 2004 when iRobot was released, starring
American actor, Will Smith, that biometrics were truly showcased. The
film set well into the future had some of the most advanced technologies
on show, many of which hadn't, and still have not been developed today.
The usage however of voice and palm recognition in the film cemented
the futuristic look of the film in the audiences' mind, and both of which
are in constant use today for securing buildings or sensitive data, these
though just being two of many applications.
What agencies and
companies use
biometrics?
How does the general
public typically know
about biometrics?
Where in your life are
biometrics used?
Adapted from http://www.biometricsaustralia.com/article.html and
http://www.biometrics.org/introduction.php
Comprehension questions:
1. What parts of the body are vital in biometric identification?
2. What method of biometric identification do you think is the most accurate?
3. Why might some people disagree with biometric identification?
4. How might biometric identification make your future more secure?