What is Biometric
In information Technology in particular, biometrics is used as a form
of identity access management and access control.
It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under surveillance.
Biometric characteristics can be divided in two
main classes:
• Physiological are related to the shape of the body. Examples include, but are
not limited to fingerprints,face recognition , DNA, hand and palm geometry, iris
recognition, which has largely replaced retina, and odor/scent.
• Behavioral are related to the behavior of a person. Examples include, but are
not limited to typing rhythm, gait, and voice. Some have coined the term
behaviometrics for this class of biometrics.
How it works A body part could be a persons fingerprint, iris, or voice is scanned with the sensors and
is then digitally stored in the biometric system. Each time a person wants to login or gain
access, the body part that has been scanned and digitally stored in the biometric system
is compared with the stored print. The person is allowed access if the two prints match on
the set criteria.
Why biometric
How many passwords and personal identification numbers (PIN) do you have? How many
times have you forgotten one or the other? From the PIN you use at a cash machine, to
the password you use to access e-mail, forget any one of them and you'll understand why
the science of biometrics is beginning to catch on, says The Forbes Magazine. Biometrics
is the science of building a foolproof security system by using a part of a person's body as
an identification key. Using fingerprints or characteristics of the eye or sound patterns of
the voice, biometric solutions help companies build IT security and access control systems without passwords, both locally and over the web.
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