Biometrics measure individuals' unique physical or behavioral characteristics as a means to recognize or authenticate their identity. Common
physical biometrics include fingerprints; hand or palm geometry; and retina, iris, or facial characteristics. Whereas behavioral characteristics
include signature, voice (which also has a physical component), keystroke pattern, and gait. While some technologies have gained more acceptance than
others, it is beyond doubt that the field of access control and biometrics as a whole shows great potential for use in end user segments such as
airports, stadiums and defense installations.
This Technical Insights' report provides:
- A detailed overview of advances in various access control and biometrics technologies across the world
- Definitions of key sub-markets and applications
- Identification of key companies and developers and prospects for technology commercialization
- Reporting on technology drivers as well as obstacles to commercialization
- A detailed list of key contacts in the field, including names, titles, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and URLs
Biometrics can be used for a number of security purposes- for virtual or physical access, for covert surveillance, and for e-commerce applications.
Many of these biometric techniques have been used for a number of years by banks, the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS), and law
enforcement, among others. However, the events of 9/11 have put a spotlight on biometrics, especially as a way to improve airport security.
While there is increased sensitivity to the potential advantages of biometrics there remain a number of technological hurdles to be overcome. Also
the intrusive nature of many biometric technologies demand adequate resolution (and legislation) to ethical issues before they can be publicly
implemented.
With respect to technological diversity, the biometrics industry includes more than 150 separate hardware and software vendors, each with their own
proprietary interfaces, algorithms, and data structures. So among the technology issues one of the most important ones is the development of
integrable solutions. This demands a common platform.
The good news is that standards such as the BioAPI and the Biometric Exchange File Format are emerging to provide a common software interface, to
allow sharing of biometric templates, and to permit effective comparison and evaluation of different biometric technologies. The Biometric Consortium
has also presented a proposal for the Common Fingerprint Minutia Exchange format, which attempts to provide a level of interoperability for
fingerprint technology vendors. However these common standards or platforms are far from realizing industry-wide acceptance.
Privacy issues, steeped in ethical standards, comprise a more thorny issue. "The potential for loss of privacy leads many to question the
safety of these devices" says Dr. James Smith, Technical Insights' analyst and author of the new security technologies-I report. He adds that
"many groups are vocally opposed to the general use of this technology."
The future of the biometrics industry, to a large extent, depends on the resolution of such technological and ethical issues. However, one thing is
certain- the growing need for biometrics certainly promises a much brighter future.
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