BIOMETRIC – Identification and Authentication

Biometric factors are defined by seven characteristics that determine their suitability for use in identification and authentication systems:

1. Universality: The characteristic should be possessed by a large majority of the population that the system is intended for. For example, fingerprints are nearly universal, while iris scans are less so.

2. Uniqueness: The characteristic should be unique enough to distinguish one individual from another with a very high degree of accuracy. Fingerprints and iris scans are highly unique, while voice patterns are less so.

3. Permanence: The characteristic should remain relatively stable over time and not change significantly with age, injury, or illness. Fingerprints are generally considered permanent, while facial features can change over time.

4. Collectability: The characteristic should be easily and reliably collected by a system without undue inconvenience to the user. Fingerprints and facial scans can be easily collected, while DNA samples may be more intrusive.

5. Performance: The system should be able to accurately and reliably capture, measure, and compare the biometric characteristic. This includes factors such as accuracy, speed, and robustness to environmental factors.

6. Acceptability: The use of the biometric characteristic should be culturally and socially acceptable to the population. Fingerprints and facial scans are generally considered acceptable, while other modalities such as DNA testing may be more controversial.

7. Circumvention: The system should be resistant to attempts to spoof or forge the biometric characteristic. Fingerprints can be spoofed with prosthetics or molds, while iris scans are more difficult to forge.

These seven characteristics are important considerations when choosing a biometric modality for a particular application. The ideal biometric modality would meet all of these criteria, but in practice, there is often a trade-off between different factors. For example, a modality that is highly unique may not be very easy to collect, or a modality that is easy to collect may not be very unique.

Reasons to use biometrics

There are several reasons why biometrics are used in identification and authentication systems:

Enhanced Security:

· Uniqueness: Biometric factors like fingerprints and iris scans are highly unique to individuals, making them more difficult to forge or steal compared to traditional methods like passwords or tokens. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

· Increased Accuracy: Biometric authentication can be more accurate than traditional methods, especially when combined with multi-factor

authentication. This reduces the chances of false positives (unauthorized access granted) and false negatives (authorized access denied).

· Reduced Reliance on Physical Tokens: Biometrics eliminate the need for physical tokens like keys or cards, which can be lost, stolen, or shared. This improves convenience and reduces the risk of unauthorized access through lost or stolen credentials.

Improved Convenience:

· Faster Authentication: Biometric authentication can be faster than traditional methods like entering passwords or PINs, especially for individuals who use complex credentials. This improves user experience and efficiency.

· Contactless Authentication: Some biometric modalities, like facial recognition, allow for contactless authentication, which can be beneficial in situations where hygiene is a concern or physical contact is limited.

Other Potential Benefits:

· Improved Border Security: Biometrics can be used to verify the identity of travelers at borders, potentially improving security and efficiency.

· Fraud Prevention: Biometrics can be used to prevent fraudulent activities like identity theft and financial fraud.

· Personalized Access Control: Biometrics can be used to grant access to specific areas or resources based on individual identity, improving security and control.

However, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks of biometrics as well, such as privacy concerns, potential for bias in algorithms, and security vulnerabilities in storage and transmission of biometric data. Careful consideration and implementation are crucial to ensure the responsible and ethical use of biometrics for identification and authentication.