A Definition of Biometrics Biometrics can be defined as: “The process of identifying and verifying people based upon their unique biological and unique

A Definition of Biometrics

Biometrics can be defined as:

“The process of identifying and verifying people based upon their unique biological and unique behavioral features”

The Two Major Types of Biometrics

There are two major types of biometrics:

• Physical biometrics:

The biological data that is captured-includes the unique features from the finger, the hand, the face, the eye, and the voice.

• Behavioral biometrics:

The non-biological data that is captured-includes the unique features from the way we sign our name and the way we type.

The Biometric Technologies

Physical Biometric Technologies• Hand Geometry Recognition

• Fingerprint Recognition

• Facial Recognition

• Voice Recognition

• Iris/Retinal Recognition

Behavioral Biometric Technologies• Signature Recognition

• Keystroke Recognition

Physical BiometricsHand Geometry Recognition Technology

• Works by extracting a 3-D image of the hand (the top and sides), 96 measurements are taken

• Recognized as probably the oldest biometric technology• Popular applications include physical access entry and

time/attendance applications• Disadvantages: Cannot be used for high security

situations, not enough unique features in hand

Physical BiometricsFingerprint Recognition Technology

• Has been around a very long time, along with hand geometry scanning

• Works by extracting the the breaks and discontinuities in the valleys and ridges of the fingerprint-also known as the minutae

• Most popular application is physical access entry, and Single Sign On Solutions for network security

• Disadvantages: An extremely damaged fingerprint will be rendered useless

Physical BiometricsFacial Recognition Technology

• Has received the most attention since 9/11

• Misconception that Facial Recognition will be as good or even better than the Human Brain for verification and identification of individuals

• Works by taking many images of the face, and extracting unique features of the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks

• Popular venues for Facial Recognition include casinos and airports

• Disadvantages: privacy rights issues, changes in the environmental settings, and physical changes in the features of the face-such as weight gain/loss, addition or removal of facial hair, etc.

Physical BiometricsVoice Recognition Technology

• Works by recognizing the unique characteristics of the voice

• Text phrase is recited numerous times, and voice inflections are captured

• Popular applications: telephony based verifications (such as accessing credit card account info, conducting financial transactions, trading financial instruments, etc.)

• Disadvantages: extraneous noises in the environment and physical ailments (cold or flu) of user

Physical BiometricsIris/Retinal Recognition Technology

• Iris and Retinal Recognition have often been confused as being similar, however, the two are very different

• Both have been deemed to be among the most reliable and stable of the biometric technologies available

• The Iris and Retina rarely change over the lifetime of an individual

Physical BiometricsIris Recognition Technology

• Works by extracting the unique features in the texture and patterns of the iris, (located in the front of the eye-the colored region between the pupil and the sclera)

• Popular applications: expediting the immigration process at airports, physical access entry, and network security

• Has been used to positively identify the famous National Geographic picture of “The Afghan Girl”

Physical BiometricsThe Iris

Physical BiometricsRetinal Recognition Technology

• Works by examining the unique pattern of blood vessels in the retina (located at the back of the eye, near the optic nerve)

• Used for extremely high security applications, such as physical access entry into highly secure areas of military or government installations

• Disadvantages: Deemed to be very user invasive; can cause much user discomfort; and requires the most cooperation from the user, when compared to

other biometric technologies

Physical BiometricsThe Retina

Behavioral BiometricsSignature Recognition Technology

• Examines the way in which we sign our name, not the signature itself

• The unique behavioral characteristics are the timing, speed, and pressure applied during the course of signing

• It has a high level of resistance to impostors-easy to forge a signature, but not the behavioral characteristics. Also deemed to be a noninvasive biometric technology

• However, it has not reached a dominant level of market share like Fingerprint Recognition and Hand Geometry Recognition. There have been very limited uses in the

financial sector

Behavioral BiometricsKeystroke Recognition Technology

• Examines the way in which we type on a computer keyboard

• In order to capture the unique features, an individual must type a specific group of words approximately 15 times-very often it is the Username and Password

• The unique features include:

*The cumulative typing speed;

*The elapsed time between consecutive keystrokes;

*The time that each key is held down;

*The frequency of use of other keys (function and numeric keys);

*The sequence utilized when typing a capital letter (Shift key or letter key released first?)

• Keystroke Recognition is a 100% software solution-therefore, all that is needed is a keyboard-no need to install new hardware

Biometric Technology Solutions and Applications

Biometric Technology has solutions and applications in the following market sectors:

*Time and Attendance

*Physical Access Entry

*Computer and Network Logon

Biometric Technology Solutions and Applications: Time and Attendance

• Time and Attendance refers to the clocking in and clocking out of hourly wage employees, and keeping track of hours worked

• Very often, some sort of timecard is used, an employee ID number, or a Social Security number for the purposes of clocking in and out

• Here lies the problem-an employee could give another employee their Identification Number, and have that employee clock in for them, when they have not even appeared at all for their shift

• This is referred to as “Buddy Punching”


• Biometric Technology has been utilized to help eliminate the problem of “Buddy Punching”

• Many Time and Attendance applications have utilized Hand Geometry Recognition as the tool of choice

• The employee’s hand becomes their Clocking In and Clocking Out mechanism

• Since nobody can share their hand, and it is unique, the problem of “Buddy Punching” almost becomes zero


• Places where Hand Geometry Recognition is being used:

Owens-Illinois; Krispy Kreme Doughnuts; Decatur Hotel Group (in New Orleans); First Bank Puerto Rico; and McDonald’s

• Advantages of using Biometric Technology for Time and Attendance:

*Cost of issuing and replacing Timecards eliminated

*Very accurate Payroll Calculations and Employee Attendance Records, reduction in paperwork

*Payroll Policies can be applied consistently and fairly, especially to Overtime and Holiday Pay

Biometric Technology Solutions and Applications: A Hand Geometry Scanner

Biometric Technology Solutions and Applications: Physical Access Entry

• Biometric Technology has also made its mark in Physical Access Entry scenarios

• The need to have a lock and key system has become almost obsolete

• Your Hand, Finger, or Eye can be used to unlock a door

• However, most systems today use Hand Geometry Recognition and Fingerprint

Recognition


• Typically, the Hand Geometry Scanner or Fingerprint Scanner is mounted to a wall, and an electromagnetic lock strike attached to the door is wired directly to the Biometric Device

• Once the Hand Geometry or Fingerprint has been verified by the Biometric System, a signal is sent to the lock strike to unlock the door

• In Physical Access Entry scenarios, Biometric Devices can operate in a standalone or networked mode, where one door or multiple doors can be unlocked and opened


• Many types of organizations are using this type of security, ranging from International Airports to Military Installations to University Dormitories to Child Daycare Centers

• Advantages of using Biometric Technology:

*Only personnel enrolled in the Biometric System can gain entry

*Cost of issuing/replacing ID Cards becomes almost zero-your Hand Geometry or Fingerprint is the key

*Efficiency and Ease of Use: Verification by Biometric System in less than 1 Second


• Many organizations and businesses today are adopting the implementation of a “Multi-Modal” Security Solution-a Two Tier Security System

• This involves using more than one biometric technology together in order to maximize the level of security

• A typical example of this is using a Hand Geometry Scanner at the main entry point, and then using a Fingerprint Scanner at more sensitive points within the place of business

Biometric Technology Solutions and Applications: A Fingerprint Scanner

Biometric Technology Solutions and Applications: Computer and Network Logon

• Typically, in order to gain access to a network, we have to type in an established Username and Password

• However, with the growth of the Internet and Web Based Applications, the need for multiple Usernames and Passwords has grown exponentially

• As a result, people tend to write down their Usernames and Passwords on “Post Its” and leave them on their computer monitor

• This has led to a substantial increase in the costs of password administration and maintenance-now at $250 per

employee per year


• The use of Biometric Technology can eliminate the need for Usernames and Passwords

• Your Fingerprint or Iris becomes the mechanism for gaining access to the network or your computer

• Fingerprint Recognition and Iris Recognition are the primary tools utilized

• This is referred to as “Single Sign On Solutions”-because only one piece of identification, your biometric, is needed


• These “Single Sign On Solution” devices come embedded onto a keyboard, onto a mouse, or into a small camera (for Iris Recognition)

• Advantages of using Biometric Technology for Computer and Network Logon:

* Password administration and maintenance costs become virtually zero

*No need to remember multiple Usernames and Passwords

*Use of a Biometric is much more secure than Usernames and Passwords-after all, a Biometric cannot be shared

*You cannot “forget” you Biometric-unlike Usernames and Passwords

Biometric Technology Solutions and Applications: A Network Logon Device

Documents

A Definition of Biometrics Biometrics can be defined as: “The process of identifying and verifying people based upon their unique biological and unique