Biometrics

Chuck Cook

Matthew Etten

Jeremy Vaughn

Overview

• What is Biometrics?

• Why use Biometrics?

• Types of Biometrics

• Uses and Applications of Biometrics

Definitions As a process:

Automated methods of identifying a person based on measurable biological and behavioral characteristics.

As a characteristic:

A meaurable biological and behavioral characteristic that can be used for automated identification.

Why Biometrics Universal – we all share

the same physiology Unique – especially

when used together Permanent – most do

not change over time Collectable – easy to

gather and store data

Performance – accuracy and speed increase with technological advances

Public Acceptance Difficult to forge Do not need to

remember passwords

Fingerprints Advantages:

Multiple fingers, easy use,

proven technology, large database

exists, ridges last a lifetime

Disadvantages:

Age and/or occupation may

impede recognition

Facial Recognition Advantages:

No contact required,

cameras are common,

easy for people to verify Disadvantages:

Face can be obstructed, sensitive

to changes in expresson, age

and lighting

Iris Recognition

Advantages:

No contact required, eye is

less prone to injury, and

iris is stable over lifetime

Disadvantages:

Difficult to capture for some

Hand Geometry

Advantages:

Easy to capture, believed to

be stable over lifetime Disadvantages:

Requires some training, not

sufficiently distinctive over a

large population

Other Techniques Signature/Handwriting Voice/Speech Retinal Scans Facial Thermography Vascular Patterns Keystroke Patterns

Biometric System 5 Basic Components Sensors – collect data Processing Algorithms – develop a template Data Storage – Hard drives or smart cards Matching Algorithms – compare template with new

data Decision Process – Automated or Human-assisted

Usage 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. Can be done in conjunction with a smart card, username or ID number.

Identification

A one to many comparison of the captured biometric against a biometric database in attempt to identify an unknown individual.

Applications Building or secure

location access Access to computer

systems Passports/Travel Employee recognition Elections

Law enforcement Consumer/Retail National security Secure banking Health services

Health Care Applications

• Privacy

• HIPAA and other such acts guarantee privacy

• United States require that physicians and healthcare professionals who use electronic records track every time a patients record is accessed.

• Biometrics can help secure these records, as well as keep track of who did, or tried to, access healthcare records

Law Enforcement Applications

• Greatly reduce paperwork

• Sensitive information can be identified using national or regional databases

• Move from ink and paper fingerprinting to digital systems to save time and money

• Facial recognition can be obtained using “mug shots”

Consumer Applications

• Controlled access to personal computers, mobile devices, private data, medical records, etc.

• Product can customize itself to you, based on your identity

• Identify age or criminal record for selling of restricted items (Alcohol and firearms)

Financial Applications

• ATM machines could use Iris or facial recognition as opposed to a 4 digit PIN

• Easier to steal cash or credit card numbers than physical features