Biometrics: Will Digital Fingerprints, Iris Scans and Speaker Recognition Soon Replace Passwords and Personal Identification Numbers?
- Topics:
- E-government
- Tags:
- Authentication/Encryption,
- Biometric Authentication,
- Biometrics,
- Digital Fingerprint,
- Password,
- Personal Identification Number,
- Security
- Source:
- RAND
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Overview: Biometrics is a high tech word for an old concept: how they go about recognizing one another. Biometric authentication uses automated methods based on physical characteristics or behavioral traits for human recognition. Examples of biometrics include iris and retina scanning, digitized fingerprints, hand geometry and speaker recognition. Biometric authentication offers advantages over current security practices. Unlike keys and tokens, biometrics is never lost or stolen. Unlike passwords and PINs, biometrics cannot be forgotten. Because of their security, speed, efficiency and convenience, biometric authentication systems might soon become the standard for access control.
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