Biometric Systems
Added: (Fri Oct 23 2009)
Your Guide to Biometric Systems
The following explains everything you need to know about biometric systems and the host of applications these have in the modern world.
A Definition of Biometric
The term biometric refers to the process of identifying human beings based on one or more behavioural or physiological trait.
Behavioural vs. Physiological Biometrics
Biometric identification can be divided into 2 categories, behavioural and physiological
Behavioural Biometrics – Behavioural biometrics focuses on the physical behaviour of an individual and is based on factors such as voice, typing or gait.
Physiological Biometrics – This form of biometric identification is based around the physical characteristics of an individual such as their face, eyes or fingerprints.
Biometric Systems
Biometric systems utilise biometric data to achieve a number of pre-determined objectives. Most commonly, they are used for access control, where individuals are granted or denied access to certain areas, based on whether or not their biometric data is stored in the system.
Advantages of Biometric Systems
There are several advantages of biometric systems when compared to other means of identification. These are as follows:
Lesser margin of error - With traditional means of identification, there is the threat of human error, which could potentially lead to mistakes being made.
For example, a security guard not checking an ID card thoroughly enough, or an individual using someone else’s password or security pass could lead to individuals gaining fraudulent access to a sensitive area.
These are issues which area avoided in biometric systems, which, in most cases, have absolutely no margin of error and cannot be manipulated.
Cost savings – Whilst biometric systems involve an outlay to begin with, in the long term, they are a cost effective solution, as they remove the need for security personnel to manually control access to areas.
Applications of Biometric Systems
Biometric systems are becoming increasingly common in a number of industries and sectors.
Currently, biometric systems are used in aviation, to identify travellers passing through airport security, in industry to identify when employees are present and in certain high security facilities to identify individuals before allowing them to access certain areas.
They are seen as a long-term replacement for solutions such as passwords and smart cards, which are easily forged and used fraudulently. As the technology behind them continues to develop, the uptake of biometric systems looks set to increase drastically in the future.
Biometric Systems from HRS
To learn more about biometric systems and how they could help your organisation, call us today on: 0151 254 2888.
Submitted by:Danielle Williams Find out more.