Biometrics - Customer Friendly Computer Security
By: Rick Parrott, MCP | Posted: 13th December 2005
I don't know about you, but I hate passwords. I hate changing them, because I never can think of what I want to use! Isn't there a better way?
Actually there is. It's called biometrics.
Biometrics is a method of authentication that uses something you are to allow access to the computer network.
You've seen the movies. The hero runs up to the door, a light shines into his eye, and it opens. Or the TV commercial where the man runs his finger across a sensor on his laptop and it lets him onto the computer. Cool huh?
Instead of a productivity inhibitor, like old-fashioned passwords, biometrics should increase productivity.
Biometrics eliminates or helps manage the weakest point in your security program. The end user. No more sticky notes with passwords stuck under keyboards. And fewer calls to the help desk for password resets, or lockouts.
How many hours of productivity do your employees loose while waiting for assistance from the help desk?
What types of biometrics are there?
Several, here's a short list:
Iris recognition
• Uses a camera to capture the image of the iris.
• Recognized as the most accurate method of biometrics, used worldwide.
Hand geometry recognition
• The full hand geometry method uses the pattern of the whole hand to grant access. Another method uses just two fingers.
• Currently used in over 46% of the world's attendance and access control systems.
Fingerprint recognition
• Used for matching and verification. Identification made based on one of two methods. The first uses the ridges of your finger as reference points and the second uses pattern matching of the whole print.
Face recognition
• Passive recognition method, doesn't need the person's active participation.
• Used by the FAA in airports, to recognize known terrorists.
Signature recognition
• Analysis of a person's written signature to grant access.
Voice recognition
• Uses unique characteristics of the speaker's voice to determine identity.
Odor recognition
• Sorry, but this one's a winner!
• Uses how someone smells to grant access.
Biometrics may seem expensive to implement, but over time you'll make up the costs in increased productivity and reduced IT support expenses.
To find more information about biometrics, go to your browser and do a search on "computer + security + biometrics". You'll find lots of information available.
Armed with this knowledge, you should then call your IT person or provider and discuss it with them.
About the Author
Occupation: Information Technology Professional
US Government
- System Administrator
NTS Technical Services
- Level I Help Desk
USAA
- Level II & III Help Desk
Career Point Technical Institute
- Network Technician Instructor
City of San Antonio
- Computer Instructor
The Hartford
- Network Administrator
SA Secure
- Network Administrator
- Technical Writing
- Desktop Support
- Help Desk
- Project Manager
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Tags: productivity, accurate method, passwords, keyboards, voice recognition, authentication, sticky notes, two fingers, access control systems, computer network, security program, tv commercial, face recognition, reference points