Biometric Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biometric Security - Essay Example â€Å"Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and analyzing biological data. In information technology, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics, such as fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand measurements, for authentication purposes.† SearchSecurity.com (2008) These have several applications including time attendance, access control, identification card, security systems, server rooms and data centers. The advantages of this system are: easy to use, removes proxy punching, prevents identity theft, no recurring costs on cards, better returns on investment and instant reporting. (BioEnable 2007) The objective of this paper is to discuss three technological applications on biometrics in the areas of fingerprint scanners, iris recognition system and smart cards. A presentation of each features, mechanics, and practical applications would enable one to discern which biometric techno logy is most beneficial to more members of the society. However, one should bear in mind that there are other factors to consider in selecting a biometric technology. Fingerprint scanners are technological applications in biometrics utilizing fingerprints of a user to be initially enrolled in a data base. The identity of the user would be authenticated by matching a current scan with that previously recorded in the data base. According to WebMediaBrands (2009), â€Å"fingerprint scanning essentially provides an identification of a person based on the acquisition and recognition of those unique patterns and ridges in a fingerprint.† This technology is currently being used in timekeeping, payroll, computer and security systems, among a host of other innovative applications. However, the cost of applying fingerprint scanning is still relatively expensive as compared to the traditional modes of ID badges. Iris recognition system is reported as one of the most accurate of all biometric