What is Biometrics?

Biometrics literally means the measurement of biological features.

In terms of a field of study, it is the statistical analysis of biological observations and phenomena.

In terms of the technology and its practical applications, biometrics is the automatic identification of a person based on the measurement of that person's biological features.
 

How is it done?

Biometrics is achieved by measuring and recording a person's physiological attributes:

• Fingerprint
• Voice
• Hand Geometry
• Eye (retinal) Geometry
• Signature Stroke (handwriting)
• Facial Features

The procedure is rather straightforward and much like registering a password.

• A physiological feature is captured by a device like a scanner, sensor or microphone.
• The captured feature is then processed into a record that is 'enrolled' into the record set. This record is used as the reference point to which samples captured in the future are compared.
• In use, positive matches of the samples result in a 'verification' and thus 'authenticating' the person to proceed with an activity that the biometric authentication was intended to protect.
   

Why Biometrics?

Because such attributes are unique, they serve as in ideal means of security. Essentially, security measures can be classified into three main areas:
a) What you know.
b) What you have.
c) What you are.

Traditionally, protecting one's assets and valuables would have included passwords, keys and smart cards. Passwords and PIN's (personal identification numbers) are what you know. Keys and cards are what you have. Security using these means can be compromised. Passwords and keys can be stolen, duplicated or compromised. As long as anyone has the right key, that person is authorized. On the other hand, the strongest form of security is, obviously, what you are. Biometric data are unique for each individual
 

When will Biometrics emerge?

Clearly, biometrics is set to become essential in virtually all aspects of daily living. Within the next two to three years, this technology will be established and entrenched everywhere.  See the business opportunities that will arise from the application of Biometrics technology.