Biometric authentication: What method works best?

August 10th, 2019

Biometrics has long been put forth as the next big thing in authentication, replacing or supplementing the concept of things that you know like passwords, PINs and so on.

Each of the different methods of biometric identification have something which are less invasive, some can be done without the knowledge of the subject, some are very difficult to fake.

But despite lots of advances in the realm of biometric authentication, it’s clear that there’s still plenty room of improvement.

Hackers have found ways to trick and circumvent biometric authentication that relies on factors like fingerprints and facial recognition and it’s not hard to imagine that they will also find ways around more advanced authentication methods . Some experts even worry that biometrics are inherently fallible because they rely on some factors that could change throughout a person’s life.

In the end , what may prove most effective is a mixture of methods. There is no shortage of qualities that are unique to each person on the planet and which could be potentially combined to create a comprehensive picture of you that also be really hard to fake. While you may be familiar with security that employs fingerprints, voice and retinas at least a few of these biometric authentication are under development.

 Biometric face recognition technology:

Facial recognition systems has always been a concept that lived in fictional words. The technology has developed this field significantly as we are seeing it has become more common in our everyday lives.

It analyses the characteristics of a person’s face to identity or verify a person.

This technology uses distinguishable facial features such as nose width and cheekbone shape to compare a digital image to your identity. This technology is able to identify key factors within a very busy visual environment, making it very useful in picking out individuals even on crowded places.

The technology works by mapping that person’s facial features and saving this unique information as a “fingerprint”. The software can compare an image of a person’s face to the information saved in the database to confirm their identity. This type of technology is mostly used for security and data protection purposes but other uses are becoming more widespread.

Fingerprint scanner security system:

It reduces the possibility of identity theft through another employee using coworkers RFID badge or another form of identification to access secure areas.

The system verify a person’s identity to ensure they have permission to access a secure area.

It provides a reliable way to track people and don’t need to worry about storing extra data since the system only requires a fingerprint.

Fingerprint based systems provide the ability to detect an individual out of millions of fingerprints accurately.

This system can save money on hardware and material costs. It tends to consist of a simple fingerprint reader and software that identifies the individual. Most upgrades to the system come in the form of software based upgrades which reduces costs further. It also helps in reprogramming badges, assigning employee pass codes or maintaining inventory.

Retina scanner security system:

The retina is deemed to be very stable and hardly ever changes over the lifetime an individual. In this regard, it is considered to be the most reliable Biometric technology which is available in the marketplace today.

Given the small file size of the Retinal Recognition templates helps to confirm the identity of an individual is very quick and can take place in just less than two seconds.

Because of the high number of unique data points the Retina possesses , there is almost no error that when an identity of an individual is confirmed. The statistical probability of an imposter being fake accepted is almost non existent.

It is not prone to the harshness of the external environment like Hand Geometry Recognition and Fingerprint Recognition.

Voice analysis security system:

A person’s voice is one of a human being’s most unique attributes as individual as fingerprints and retinas. It is used to verify a person’s claimed identity or to identity a particular person by evaluating his or her voice . That is why voice Biometrics solutions provide powerful and convenient methods of authentication.

Voice Biometric solutions which balance strong authentication with usability provide powerful tools for preventing fraud and promoting empowerment through self service and helps organisations save money and reduce administration costs.

There’s been a sharp increase in the number of companies using voice Biometric technology in the past few years.

Voice is the only available Biometric identifier over landline.

Unlike passwords and other log in information, people can’t lose or forget their voice.

Voice Biometrics cannot be impersonated. Attempts to impersonate usually fail due to the distinctive details of the voiceprint used for comparison .

Voice Biometrics reduces the amount of time that each agent spends with each caller , creating additional overhead savings .

Voice Biometrics can enhance an organisation’s existing security methods to enable multi factor authentication by adding few more features to recognise the person.

Biometrics sensors on mobile devices all  work on the same basic principle getting users to verify their identity using unique personal physical characteristics.

With the latest technology, people can choose Biometric authentication options which includes facial recognition, fingerprint and so on. These biometric authentication technologies continue to improve with more sophisticated sensors and algorithms helping to reduce false acceptance rates and block attempts at spoofing.

On the other hand, Biometric must take into account user convenience and environmental considerations such as how quickly the user can unlock the devices and in what bade it will work effectively.

It requires controlled and accurate enrollment process and careful monitoring of security settings to ensure that the risk of unauthorized entry is low and well designed interfaces to ensure rapid acquisition and matching poor system design and implementation can slow down the authentication process and expose new vulnerabilities.

Verification of identity:

  • Non-identification:

This will check that the person who is checking is not enrolled on the system before and on database.

  • Closed-set identification:

It recognizes a person by sue in one of the characteristics which is being the closest match to a person on a master database of such characteristics.

  • Open-set identification:

This means that the person is not that who claim to be and rejecting as a fake identity or performing closed-set identification to match the characteristics.

The analyses the principle to understand the application problem for developer , user and observer.

To know more about the pros and cons of biometric technology you can refer to the link mentioned :

http://www.nutechsolution.com/pros-cons-biometrics/

 

Pros and Cons of Biometrics:

July 20th, 2019

BIOMETRICS:

Biometrics is the technology which is used to measure and analyse human characteristics which include fingerprints,Irises, facial recognition, DNA, etc.
A unique aspect of identifying features for security purposes than that of a normal password or security codes is done by biometrics.

Pros and Cons of Biometrics:

Biometrics are very much now in the market because it identifies a person’s identity which is extremely hard to replicate.

  • It provides all the services according to convenience. It makes the password strong and complex.
  • They are stable and enduring. It can identify a person in spite of small variations.
  • Strong authentication and accountability which cannot reprobate.
  • It requires very less database memory and small storage.
  • It provides safety and are non- transferable.
  • It takes very less time to scan a fingerprint.
  • It also recognizes distinct characteristics.
  • It is very easy to operate and most people are familiar with this technology.
  • The iris scanners are well protected.
  • The iris is kept stable usually even decades.
  • Each iris has a specific pattern .
  • The voice recognition is very reliable .
  • It is very easy to use and very safe.
  • It is very difficult for another person to forge as it is well protected and make sure it doesn’t get spammed.
  • The keystroke is the most relevant technology available today .
  • It is very quick to operate.
  • It is impossible for another person to copy by observing somebody type.
  • There is no user interface.

The biggest cons of biometrics is that it is considered as invasive and people don’t feel comfortable giving out their personal details.
Specific cons for each biometric system goes as follows:

  • The major challenge is the process of biometric is that it is captured and mapped to an identity.
  • There is lack of accuracy which can lead to failure of the biometric system.
  • Privacy is the biggest issue of the biometric solution.
  • If once the information is hacked, it can lead to many serious consequences.
  • At times error in biometric devices appear like false rejection and acceptance.
  • It is due to inability to read the distinct characteristics of an individual.
  • It is a circumstance where the device rejects an user who is an authorized person
  • It is expensive and involves cost in getting the system up and running and the maintenance.
  • Integration is another issue which is complex and makes the technology’s invasive.
  • Acceptance of an authorized person is also a challenge when an individual feel uncomfortable.
  • At times , it causes injury to the fingerprint during the verification process.
  • The technology can also be used to replicate and stealing a persons identity.
  • They are very expensive as it costs much to set up a system.
  • A fairly short distance has to be kept by a person to get the exact reading.
  • An individual’s voice can also be copied.
  • It covers a large amount of storage when it comes to various patterns.
  • An authorized person must know how to operate the keyboard to get the exact analysis of the pattern.
  • False identity can occur if the algorithm used is incorrect.

The biometric technology is used by military bases, airports and also by large firms.
These devices which are mostly used in the current scenario are facial scanners , door locks , hard drives and more.

How to use Biometrics Access System:

Check your system before turnout:

Make sure that the it detects the correct physical characteristics.
Install the necessary equipment’s and test the devices before hand.

Spread information about usage:

Give the correct information and the guidelines to ensure the workers to use properly.

Comprehensive security plan:

Include biometrics with other necessary mechanisms like alarms, motion sensors and video surveillance.

Backup plan:

If there is malfunction while accessing biometrics , add on some more measures which can secure the system through PIN and passcodes.

Recommendations:

Biometrics have additional aspects to keep an individual’s personal information private.
A certificate can also be used to authenticate identity.
Before implementation for a single factor authentication , make sure you understand all the legal information and other risk factors.
Biometrics are ways to use and also ensures customer satisfaction.

Future in the field of biometrics:

Security and customer satisfaction is the most important aspect which biometrics focuses on.It will become a revolution in the future and will set up a mark for the people to access this system for there security.
This will extend further to developing cities and other ecological systems.

New innovations and modern methods have shaped the technology.
It will be available for both enterprises and customer services which will include fingerprint face and iris scanning.

They have started to expand this system in medical fields all over the world.

The Aadhar program in India has brought this system to over a billion citizens to use this system.
Biometrics are going corporate in the future.
They are also finding new ways to authentic and access systems.
It is improving its accessibility and other necessary innovations.

Government agencies are increasingly using biometrics systems in variety.
Data privacy is a broad topic that pertains to technology and policy.
Biometrics uses are vast and beneficial for all the commercial organisation.
It is now turning to use identification and also for other purposes.

Introduction of multi modal biometric will be extended by many terms.
This technology confronts realistic performance.
Authentication is reasonable to expect and will contain some more form of biometric data.
It also allows a comparison with stored data in documentation.

Biometrics will certainly gain increased acceptance in all kinds .
It will also include new quality to security solutions .
Biometric authentication in the economic sector will reduce the need for physical objects like cards.
There will be two developments in response to this situation which are the attitude of people and the development.

The biometric mechanisms will make the operations easier and convincing.
They will also include body shape recognition, investigation of body parts , analysis of electrical and other fields and face and head vibrations during speaking.

In conclusion , biometrics is being more advanced with the upcoming technologies with its both negative and positive aspects.
It can lead us to a comparatively security solution.