One of the most critical security aspects is individual consent and validation. That’s why so many companies use biometric data entry devices. Biometric security systems are becoming an increasingly important element of multi-factor authentication. They are used for a wide variety of purposes, such as:
- Registering attendance,
- Verifying the verification process,
- And even time tracking.
The access system of an increasing number of large companies is based on biometrics. Below we discuss the biometric system and its pros and cons.
Biometric authentication and verification are an important part of modern technology. The development and implementation of biometric applications in society are moving fast. Biometrics are also increasingly being used in payment systems. A few years ago, biometric security leaders were reserved for airports and government agencies. Now you can find them in hospitals, commercial banks, retail stores, educational institutes, etc.
What is biometrics?
The word biometrics is made up of two words of Greek origin. Bios, which means life, and metron, translated as a measure. It is, therefore, the science that studies the measurements of living beings or biological processes.
However, in Information Technology, the word has a more specific meaning related to authentication. Thus, the reference “biometric access” refers to the mechanism to verify a person’s identity through physical features or behavior.
Biometrics is a collective term for technologies that can be used to identify a person and verify someone’s identity using unique personal characteristics such as iris, face, the fingerprint of vein pattern. The big benefit is that these characteristics are not transferable and always have them with you. This is often done in combination with another form of access control. We’re then talking about multi-factor identification/verification.
User-friendliness for consumers is the main reason for using biometrics in payment systems. You can forget PIN codes, but you always have your fingerprint and your voice with you. In addition to ease of use, biometrics can also help against fraud, such as shouldering (= copying a PIN while typing, followed by theft of a debit card).
How Biometric Access Control Works?
Authentication mechanisms based on static and dynamic characteristics apply statistical and mathematical techniques. Since the nature of these parameters varies, the operation also differs. Even the technology to measure these parameters may be different.
What do all systems have in common? They extract information from static or dynamic characteristics. And at the time of verification, compare it with the patterns they’ve stored in their database to verify a person’s identity.
PROS OF BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGY
- Biometric technology eliminates the need for the user to carry a card or key to access a certain site.
- Avoid memorizing a password or an access PIN.
- Biometric authentication is one of the most secure identification technologies.
- It takes very little time to scan a fingerprint.
- It can easily recognize distinct characteristics.
- Increased safety and convenience for customers
- Can’t be forgotten
- Not transferable from person to person
- The current tools for storing a password or PIN code are suitable as a temporary storage place.
- It is a convenient way to track each employee in the company.
- The Biometric system provides unmatched ROI as compared to other systems.
- Taking biometric data from a person is unique and non-transferable to another person, so there is no identity theft.
- It prevents loss through fraud and illegal access.
- By using a biometric reader, the administration costs are lower. Since only the maintenance of the reader has to be carried out, and one person is in charge of updating the database.
DISADVANTAGES OF BIOMETRIC SYSTEM
Biometrics also have drawbacks. Disadvantages differ enormously per type of biometrics that is chosen. Fingerprints do not work or do not work properly when a hand or finger is moist. Distorting your face or registering in the wrong light can ensure that the face is not recognized. The environment and the application should take these situations into account.
- Environment and usage can affect results.
- Systems are not always 100% accurate. Results may vary due to cuts or wear.
- Requires additional hardware
- Individual voices can be copied.
- False reject/False Accept (rare) where an authorized person is denied access or an unauthorized person is granted access.
- It is expensive and includes the cost of starting and maintaining the system.
- It is unreliable because its automation system depends on electricity. In case of a power shortage, no one can enter or exit.
- A so-called acceptance limit or reliability percentage prevents both’ errors.’ The reliability of a measurement can be adjusted and adjusted to minimize this.
- In the event of a security breach, hackers can steal all data to gain access to unauthorized business units. Once the data is stolen, you can do nothing about the data because it cannot be changed once the data is stolen.
Conclusion
A biometric system can lead to business security because it is a hack that has been optimized with the latest technology. It offers benefits that outweigh the drawbacks. However, it is still far from a perfect system.
Biometrics plays an increasingly important role in security infrastructure and multi-factor authentication – for quick and easy authentication, audit logs, and analysis. These systems are crucial as the industry continues to grow and become more complex – and we can expect even bigger things in the coming years.
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