Biometrics
Top 10 Biometric FAQs
Q4: How are biometrics collected? database. The system must determine
Biometrics are typically collected using a whether the person is in the database.
Q1: What is “biometrics”? device called a sensor. These sensors are
Biometrics is a general term used
used to acquire the data needed for Q7: Where are biometric technologies
alternatively to describe a characteristic or
recognition and to convert the data to a currently being deployed?
a process. As a characteristic: a biometric
digital form. The quality of the sensor used Biometrics are being used in many
is a measurable biological (anatomical and
has a significant impact on the recognition locations to enhance the security and
physiological) and behavioural
results. Example “sensors” could be digital convenience of the society. Example
characteristic that can be used for
cameras (for face recognition) or a deployments within the United States
automated recognition.
telephone (for voice recognition). Government include the FBI’s IAFIS, the
As a process: a biometric is an
US-VISIT program, the Transportation
automated method of recognising an
Q5: What are biometric templates? Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC)
individual based on measurable biological
A biometric template is a digital program, and the Registered Traveller (RT)
(anatomical and physiological) and
representation of an individual’s distinct program. These deployments are intended
behavioural characteristics.
characteristics, representing information to strengthen the security and convenience
extracted from a biometric sample. in their respective environments. Many
Biometric templates are what are actually companies are also implementing
“…for many years
compared in a biometric recognition biometric technologies to secure areas,
system. Templates can vary between maintain time records, and enhance user
Disney World has
biometric modalities as well as vendors. convenience. For example, for many years
Not all biometric devices are template Disney World has employed biometric
employed biometric based. For example, voice recognition is devices for season ticket holders to
based on “models.” expedite and simplify the process of
devices for season
entering its parks.
ticket holders to
Q6: What is the difference between
recognition, verification and identification? Q8: Can I interact with a biometric device
expedite and simplify
Recognition is a generic term, and does not without touching something?
necessarily imply either verification or This depends on the specific modality
the process of entering
identification. All biometric systems being used. For example, with today’s
perform “recognition” to “again know” a current technology, an individual would be
its parks…”
person who has been previously enrolled. required to touch a fingerprint sensor for
Verification is a task where the biometric the system to obtain the biometric sample,
system attempts to confirm an individual’s whereas face imaging for face recognition
Q2: What are the common biometrics? claimed identity by comparing a submitted and iris imaging for iris recognition are
Biometrics commonly implemented or
sample to one or more previously enrolled contactless and would not require the user
studied include fingerprint, face, iris, voice,
templates. to touch the system.
signature, and hand geometry. Many other
Identification is a task where the
modalities are in various stages of
biometric system attempts to determine the Q9: Why do we need biometrics?
development and assessment.
identity of an individual. A biometric is Biometrics is a security tool available for
collected and compared to all the templates use. An environment or circumstance may
Q3: Which biometric technology is the in a database. Identification is “closed-set” or may not need a biometric system,
best?
if the person is known to exist in the depending on the application. To
There is not one biometric modality
database. In “open-set” identification, determine if a biometric is needed, one
that is best for all implementations.
sometimes referred to as a “watchlist,” the must understand the operational
Many factors must be taken into
person is not guaranteed to exist in the requirements of the situation. Biometrics
account when implementing a
should not be forced; each circumstance
biometric device including location,
should be evaluated to determine the
security risks, task (identification or
“…one hacker
benefits that a biometric may provide.
verification), expected number of
users, user circumstances, existing discovered that
Q10: What if my biometric does not work?
data, etc. It is also important to note
On any biometric system, secondary
that biometric modalities are in varying
fingerprint readers procedures need to be implemented. It is
stages of maturity. For example,
fingerprint recognition has been used
could be fooled by
important to remember that biometrics are
a component of an overall system
for over a century while iris recognition
copying a fingerprint
architecture, and contingency plans will
is a little more than a decade old. It
vary from application to application.
should be noted that maturity is not
using the goo that
related to which technology is the best,
The author is Managing Director of Total-
but can be an indicator of which
“Gummy Bears” are
Trust Solutions Ltd. and is a Director of the
technologies have more implement-
International Association for Biometrics. e-
ation experience. made from…”
mail:
daniel.walsh@total-trust.com
40 April 2007 Aviationsecurityinternational
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