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Biometrics

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Submitted By robertesneed
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3-20-14

Biometric Scan Technologies This essay covers the basic history, importance, and impacts biometric technologies have on our security, and what the future may hold because of them. When speaking of biometrics, fingerprinting is usually the first biometric method most people consider. However, throughout the years, biometric technology has advanced and accrued new methods such as facial recognition and iris scanning. First off, we will discuss finger-scanning, or fingerprinting, as it is the oldest and most commonly used form of biometrics to date. This technology has always fascinated me because it identifies every individual based on their unique fingerprint, making it very difficult to replicate or bypass. An average scan can identify up to, but not limited to, 40 unique characteristics called “minutiae” a term coined by the FBI years ago. If that is the current ability of a fingerprint scanner, I can only imagine that in the future this method of biometrics will be the standard for consumer securities. Homes will have touch pads instead of keys, making the likeliness of a burglary slim to none. So, in the future fingerprinting won’t be limited for the elite and three letter agencies. Secondly, facial recognition biometric technology is gaining popularity, especially in modern social devices such as smart phones, tablets, and laptops. Although this method has much higher goals, it currently stands as an efficient means of security. Again, biometrics has always interested me due to the fact that it is all based upon physical differences, and character traits. Although this method of biometrics could be bypassed by a well experienced makeup artist, it is still employed by many security agencies to include the U.S. Army. I imagine 20 from now this technology will be the basis of all user access terminals, especially banking, as to prevent fraud. Lastly, we have the ability to identify and store information on each individual based on their unique retina scan. This infrared based method works by scanning blood vessel patterns in the eye retina, making it virtually tamper-proof. Because of its cost and sensitivity to its environment I still believe this method will only be used by the government, or high levels in security firms. With this being the most difficult and costly method of biometrics it is easy for me to predict that it will slowly be faded out, or discontinued altogether. In conclusion, I believe biometrics, in the way of security, will continue to be relied upon as a physical identifier for personnel. This technology may only be hindered by patent restrictions, or environmental circumstances. Or simply that the methodology is too complicated, or sensitive, like the retina scanner for instance. Overall, I imagine it will be a vital part of society in the near future.

References:
http://www.sans.org/reading-room/whitepapers/authentication/biometric-scanning-technologies-finger-facial-retinal-scanning-1177

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