Biometric Security - The future is already here.

The definition of Biometrics:

1. The statistical study of biological phenomena.

2. The measurement of physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, DNA, or retinal patterns, for use in verifying the identity of individuals.

September the 11th, 2001 saw the United States shaken to it's very foundation. We watched the towers fall and suddenly we all felt threatened.

Security whether it be personal, industrial or global became, and still is a massive issue. With all these perceived threats on our lives, family, assets, identity etc what is the best way to make ourselves feel secure?

Traditionally security comes with "something" we have to carry or remember. Passwords, keys, cards, badges etc. The problems with these systems are numerous. "I forgot my password", "I forgot my key", "My key got stolen", "I need to update my password" etc.

Nature in its wisdom gave ALL of us the best ever security device, Biometrics. Whether it be our fingerprints, vein patterns, habits, behavior etc every one of us have unique identifiers that biometric systems can record and use to validate us to be who we claim to be.

In a nutshell Biometric systems employ a 4 stage process.

1. Capture. During enrollment, the system captures the biometric sample to be used. Fingerprint, eye scan, etc

2. Extraction. The system extracts the uniqueness out of the captured sample and turns it into a biometric template via a mathematical algorithm.

3. Comparison. When the user attempts to gain access in the future, the new sample is compared to all the old samples in the system.

4. Matching. The system will find a match and grant access or deny access when no match is found.

That is basically it. How long does all this take? Depending on the amount of users in the system anywhere up to a second? Less users = faster access.

The current biometric systems have a rejection rate of <1:1,000 (i.e. the system does not recognize an enrolled user) and a false rate of <1:1,000,000 (i.e. access granted to someone NOT in the system).

So how does all this pertain to the average Joe out there?

Biometric technology is fast becoming more mainstream as a security measure for everyday people. No longer is it the super expensive system of the wealthy few but it's now abundant and affordable to you and I.

You can secure your PC data at the mouse, at the flash drive even at the door to the room with the PC. You can secure your car to the point that no one can steal it. The car's ignition system is encrypted and requires a valid fingerprint to start.

Let's assume someone absolutely MUST have your car and decides to steal your finger; the system will not recognize it. Biometric systems require a living sample to do the comparison and match stages.

The future of security is already here.