> What is Biometrics?

Biometrics is known as a way of using physiological or behavioral characteristics as measuring means.Some physiological or behavioral characteristics are so unique to each individual that they can be used to prove the person's identity thru automated system.

> Biometric Systems

Popular biometric systems in use today include fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, voice recognition, and fingerprint recognition systems. Fingerprint recognition is generally considered the most practical system for its reliability, non-intrusive interfaces, and cost-effectiveness. Also, there are other biometric systems are available like retina recognition, vein pattern, face recognition, signature, and DNA matching systems. These systems are not as widely used yet for various reasons.
Biometric system offers the most accurate authentication solution and convenience.
Biometrics can be integrated into any application that requires security, access control, and identification or verification of people. With biometric security, we can dispense with the key, the password, the PIN code; the access-enabler is you - not something you know, or something you have in your possession. Remember, biometrically secured resources are based on who a person is, effectively eliminating risks asociated with less advanced technologies, while at the same time offering a higher level of security and convenience.

Fingerprint

Fingerprint recognition system analyze and compare attributes of the fingerprints rather than the fingerprints themselves. It analyzes the position of the end points and junctions of fingerprint ridges, tiny points called minutiae. Fingerprint is one of the human physiological characteristics that don't change throughout their lives. Even identical twins have different fingerprint patterns. The chance of identical twins to have the same fingerprint is less than one in a billion. Fingerprint recognition system is the most widely used biometric authentication and the most cost effective. Also, it offers convenience.

Retina Patterns

Both retinas and irises provide unique bases for biometric identification. Users look into a camera, and the camera captures high-resolution video images similar to fingerprint images reading capillaries pattern. The eye is a unique biometric identifier, but the system's expensive and uncomfortable to use as one has to look into the camera for 5 sec.

Hand Geometry

Devices examine the top and side views of the hand using built-in video cameras and compression algorithms. Hand geometry is most commonly used at building access control points. Hand shape can be change.

Vein Pattern

Vein pattern beneath the skin of hand is detected by using infrared and use the data to identify the person whom they claim to be. It is easy to use however, the device is a bit large size and cost-wise it is not attractive.

Voice Patterns

Physiological and behavioral factors combine to produce speech patterns that can be captured by speech processing technology. It is inexpensive but is sensitive to background noise and it can be duplicated. Also, it is not always reliable as voice is subject to change during bouts of illness, hoarseness, or other common throat problems.

DNA Identification

DNA identification is a very powerful means of determining whether two samples of DNA profile may or may not have come from the same person. It is very expensive and takes long to go through the whole process to identify. It is widely used for identifying crime suspects.

Signature Dynamics

Techniques vary, but the key to signature dynamics is differentiating between parts of the signature that are habitual and parts that vary with almost every signing. Because of its usefulness to the financial community, signature dynamics has been an area of biometric development. The big challenge is gaining enough accuracy to reject forgers while allowing for the variations of valid users.