Biometric Device

Biometric Devices Enable Secure Authentication

Biometric Authentication is getting to be increasingly popular in a lot of applications that range from personal to governmental - like Visa, ID cards etc. Biometric techniques have brought about many solutions to problems that arise in the area of identity theft and loss of computer data.

Personal authentication can be done in ways like using a password or an identification number or some information that is known only to the user; using a smart card or even a security token or using a biometric - which is a characteristic (physical) of the user like a fingerprint, voice print, etc.

Biometric devices or mechanisms can involve a dual-factor authentication which needs hardware that is pretty expensive and certain changes to your infrastructure. The single authentication device is therefore mostly used by people rather than using a smart card or security token.

The most common biometric devices and methods that have been accepted in today's computer era are:

Signature Dynamics

This device is popular because one's signature cannot be forged. What counts here is not what is recorded or signed but the manner in which it is signed - the speed of writing and the pressure differences at numerous points of the signature.

Typing Patterns

This device is like the signature dynamics but pertains to the keyboard, as it is the manner in which the password is typed, the space/intervals between the characters and the pattern and speed which are considered and recognized.

Eye Scans

The retina and iris of the eye are generally scanned. The specialized hardware is expensive and use of this device is generally considered inconvenient and slow.

Fingerprint recognition

All fingerprints are different and unique. What makes this device so popular is the fact that it is easy and convenient to use. Being easily accessible and needing little space this device can be built-in.

Voice Recognition:

The user is verified against a voice pattern that is stored.

Palm or Hand Geometry:

The whole hand of the individual is the "identifier". Devices are used to measure the angles and length of the fingers.

Facial Recognition

Facial features like the cheekbones, eye sockets, and location of eyes, nose and mouth are used.

Of all the biometric devices used, the fingerprint authentication is the most effective and popular choice. Today, computers, Notebooks, as well as peripherals are being sold in the market with fingerprint readers that are built-in. These are not so expensive and also allow the individual to maintain and have passwords that need not be remembered but are invoked by placing the finger on the fingerprint reader.

As stated above biometric devices also use digitized signatures and voice analysis. Biometric is "measure of life" and is used in access and security control applications. An individual's biometric data will not generally change over the years and physical characteristics of the user that are constant and most difficult to forge or fake are used.

Other biometric devices for authentication are sensors and scanners that can be installed in computers and automobiles etc that can easily identify the owner, driver and even make adjustments in mirrors, climate control and seat positions. Readers that can measure elements of palm/hand geometry and compare results with individual data are also used. Cameras used for surveillance to search for suspects and missing people can be installed. Gestures can be recognized by software that deals with face recognition.