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Foolproof Security With Biometrics Security Devices

Biometrics is the science of identifying human beings based on their unique biological or behavioral characteristics. For example, every fingerprint, retina, iris, voice, signature, hand, and face is unique and distinct from the other. It is extremely difficult to clone these characteristics. Biometrics security Technology combines biometrics with information technology and gives us machines that can first enter any of the aforesaid unique characteristics and then match the recorded characteristics with a live scan.

Nowadays, the science of biometrics and security go hand in hand.

How biometric security technology works in access control

A biometrics security system typically works in the following manner:

First, it captures the required biometric (fingerprint, retina, face, etc.).
Next, it registers the captured data.
Then it stores the data on to a computer or on a smart card and assigns it a unique identity.
It performs a live scan when the person seeking security access submits his biometric for security scan.
The live scan is processed so that it can be matched with the stored data.
The system matches the processed scan with the stored record.
If there's a match, it grants access to the security area.
It stores records of matched and mismatched scans for audit purposes.

Types of biometric security devices

Biometric security devices match an individual's unique biological characteristics or unique behavioral characteristics to identify him. There are quite a few of these biometric devices available in the market, such as:

Fingerprint security:

The fingerprint security systems capture and record the patterns, ridges and valleys found on the finger of an individual, and then match it during a live scan to grant or deny access. These systems do not cost much, do not occupy much space, and are easy to use. Many varieties of these systems are available in the market. They are widely used to grant access to workstation applications.

Hand geometry:

These systems analyze and measure the shape of a hand and are used in workplaces where employees do not adopt a dedicated approach to other biometric security systems where some form of training is required. They work great in time and attendance recording and many organizations are looking at these hand geometry systems as a first step to get into biometric security.

Retina scanners:

These scanners scan the pattern formed by blood vessels at the back of the eye. Though retina-scan security systems are considered the best in biometric security systems, users do not take to them easily because they require them to undergo some kind of training (focusing, still stance, close contact) before a live scan. Many users are also put off by the thought that a retina scan may give away their medical information, or it may harm their eyes. As of now, retina scanners are used mostly in government offices because their cost is prohibitive for a small business.

Iris scanners:

Iris is the forefront of the retina. Though it is not as complicated as the retina, iris scan security systems are considered quite efficient. Unlike retina scanners, iris scan users do not require any training, and there is no close contact with the scanners. Plus, medical information is not given away. Iris scanners are considered better than fingerprint, hand geometry, face, voice, or signature scanners.

Face recognition:

A face scanner analyzes and matches facial characteristics. These scanners also require a camera to be hooked to the scanning device. Their advantages have not yet been fully explored, but casinos use them a lot to figure out casino scammers.

Signature analyzer:

As the name suggests, a signature analyzer analyzes the characteristics of the way a person is signing (e.g., the speed and the slant of the letters) in order to get access. These systems are pretty efficient and if your business does not need something elaborate then signature analyzers will fit in well.

Voice authenticators:

Voice authenticators do not recognize a voice, but convert a voice to text. First they record and store your voice printout and then when you need access you have to speak again and see if the new printout matches the stored record. If you've had a minor ailment or a small accident that has altered your audio output quality, then you can kiss that access goodbye. Seriously, voice authenticators are not user-friendly and still have some way to go.

Tricking biometric security devices

Though biometric security is difficult to trick, many attempts have been made to break their security, and some of the attempts have been successful. Here are the ways that have been adopted to trick biometric systems:

There are many cases where fingerprints have been duplicated by transferring them on to fingers made with gelatin. Such fake fingers have been used successfully to bypass fingerprint scanners.
In principle, biometric data can be hacked and used. But normally this data is encrypted so powerfully that it is almost impossible to decrypt it.
A video recording of a face in motion on a laptop can fool face recognition systems. One of the features that a facial recognition system looks for is liveliness of the face. And a video of the face on a laptop sure is lively.
A group of researchers have successfully fooled an iris scanner. First they got an iris printed and then they punched minute holes in the pupils to mimic liveliness and then they put up the print for scanning. And the print passed the test!

These factors might give the impression that biometric security is full of holes, but that is not the case. If there's a trusted employee who is present at the time of the live scan then a biometric system is virtually foolproof.

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