Biometric Security 101

In a world that is going paperless, more advanced security measures were needed and have been developed in response to threats of cyber hacking, organized crime and terrorism. Biometrics, everything from fingerprints, facial structure, iris scans, voice analysis and DNA have provided the basis for a secure and convenient way of authenticating identity.

Biometrics is a rapidly growing industry, but not a new science. By the late 1800s, the study of fingerprint had advanced to their use in identifying people; the origin of iris scans dates back to 1936. Starting in the late 1980’s, major advances took place in biometric technology that accelerated the growth of the security and surveillance industries. Faster computers and algorithms helped make it all possible.

Today, biometrics – fingerprints, voice, iris scans and facial analysis – are used to authenticate mobile devices, in retail and banking transactions, for security in airports, and in border control. The global biometrics market in the U.S. is expected to exceed $24.8 billion by 2021. Still biometric authentication is used more extensively in Europe and other countries than in the U.S., for example, being used to authenticate voters and the recipients of social service programs. 

Americans want security, but they also have strong feelings about privacy. While biometrics is ever advancing, and its use in authentication and security growing, cards and paper identification are still expected to be in use for many years to come.

Biometric security systems: a guide to devices, fingerprint scanners, facial recognition, access control

IFSEC Global, October 28, 2016, www.ifsecglobal.com