Biometrics

toc =Introduction=

Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. Among the features measured are; face, fingerprints, hand geometry, handwriting, iris, retinal, vein, and voice.

Why It Is Good
//Biometric systems are superior because they provide// **a nontransferable means of identifying people** //not just cards or badges. // The U.S. Department of Homeland Security believes that digital fingerscans makes the exit and entry system of the country more efficient (CBC). Before this digital scanning system was implemented, only names and biographical data of suspected terrorists or criminals were checked with databases (CBC).

Homeland Security also says: "Biometric identifiers make it virtually impossible for anyone else to claim their identity should their travel documents be stolen or duplicated. Biometric identifiers will also reduce fraud and abuse of the [U.S.] immigration system (CBC).

Why It Is Bad
A conference in October 2003 sponsored by Citizenship and Immigration Canada warned: "Biometrics raises a number of additional concerns, including sovereignty, cultural values, and ethics" (CBC). Obvious reasons of surveillance and possible invasion of privacy. The fact that you are constantly checking in and out of places in which you're activity has been logged. Everything that makes you who you are has been recognized and is now understood a system.

Privacy advocates are worried that the databases containing this vast amount of personal information can and will likely be used for purposes beyond simple screening for airport security (CBC).**

=**How Exactly Can This Work**=

In order to get this to fully work there must be a system of recognition based on the features mentioned above. The following are categories from which people can be measured: Facilitating this technology would prove fairly difficult since it would involve setting up an infrastructure that would be rather costly. Take into consideration methods of detecting and differentiating fingerprints/handprints (all of which are expensive): =Why Now?=
 * Fingerprints
 * Handprints
 * Iris Scan
 * Facial Recognition
 * Key Strokes Recognition
 * Walking Recognition
 * Optical technology
 * Silicon technology
 * Ultrasound technology



Biometric applications concern a variety of areas: civil and criminal identification, surveillance and screening, health care, eCommerce, Government, physical and logical access. Most important, biometrics have been one of the chief ’technical’ responses to September 11 and accurate automated systems for human identification are more and more a critical component of anti-terrorist programs.

Currently, the United States uses digital fingerprints and photographs as part of its US-VISIT program for visitors requiring visas (CBC). Eventually, the face photograph will be used in combination with a "globally interoperable biometric" system of face recognition software which is being looked after by the International Civil Aviation Organization (CBC).

Several large corporations and organizations, such as American Express and the New York Police Department use biometrics as confirmation of employee identification(CBC). Others such as Continental Airlines use biometrics in order for employees to access secure areas (CBC).

The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands are using biometric measures in order to aid in identifying some immigrants and international visitors (CBC). Canada presently uses biometrics in its CANPASS program for frequent travelers (CBC).

The integration of security systems which take into account: fingerprints, handprints, eyes, and general gestures is truly a startling issue. Despite these concerns the pushing of biometrics into the future of as a means of identification and screening continues to propel itself. The large motivating factor is fear of being insecure. Therefore it would appear that in order to feel secure we must be under tight surveillance and thus this brings up a string of issues...

=Canada and Biometrics=

CANPASS (used by Canada Customs), uses fingerscans to ease the flow of goods between the U.S. and Canada (CBC). For example, truck drivers have their fingerprints registered in order to pass through borders smoothly (CBC).

At major Canadian airports, members of CANPASS Air go to a kiosk where a digital camera captures an image of the eye (CBC). The system will recognize the iris as proof of the user' s identity and then "expedites… passage through Customs and Immigration" (CBC).

Frequent travellers to the U.S. from Canada have the option of using the joint Canada-U.S. NEXUS fast-track program which verifies their identify and gets them through customs more quickly (CBC).

=Fingerprint=

Fingerprints are the most widely used biometric technology. Fingerprint scanners measure the unique, complex pattern of swirls on a person's fingertip (CBC). These swirls are characterized and produced as a template (CBC). However, if a previous user has left an oily imprint on the scanner, or if the person's finger is not placed in the right position, an error is most likely to occur (CBC).

=Hand/Palm Geometry=

This system maps key features of the topography of a person's hand, measuring all of the creases on the palm (CBC). This method is more expensive and considered less accurate comared to other biometrics (CBC).

A recent creation by LiveGrip analyses the veins, arteries and fatty tissues of the hand where sixteen scans are taken and a template of the individual's hand is stored (CBC).

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons uses hand geometry to track movements of its prisoners, staff and visitors within its prisons (CBC). Once people enter the system, they must have their hands scanned (CBC). The information is then put in a database and each person is issued a magnetic swipe card which must be carried at all times (CBC).

=Iris=

Iris recognition is seen as having the highest accuracy of all the biometric technologies (CBC). Iris recognition technology was pioneered by John Daugman of Cambridge University in England around the mid-1990s (CBC). This technology examines the unique patterns of the iris. The person puts his/her face in front of a camera, which then analyses all the features and it does not require people to remove their glasses (CBC). The technology is portable and can capture and code millions of scans (CBC).

The system can be used to check in passengers at the ticket desk, baggage check and boarding and it can also be used in combination with a multiple security door system (CBC). Once a person's iris is scanned and approved, the person is permitted into a specific area (CBC).

"The technology reads 266 different characteristics as opposed to fingerprint technology, which reads about 90," says Catherine Kaliniak of EyeTicket, an American company that produces iris recognition equipment (CBC). EyeTicket has pilot-tested its iris systems at the Frankfurt and Charlotte/Douglas, N.C., airports (CBC). In addition, it was used at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia (CBC).

(cf. Iris Recognition Technology)

=Retinal=

A retinal scan can produce almost the same volume of data as a fingerprint image analysis (CBC). Retinal scans examine the blood vessel patterns of the retina; the nerve tissue lining the inside of the eye that is sensitive to light (CBC). An infrared light source is used to illuminate the retina of the eye and it is the image of the enhanced blood vessel pattern of the retina is analyzed for characteristic points (CBC).

The retina is susceptible to disease (notably cataracts), that can change the characteristics of the eye (CBC). Obtaining a correct retinal scan depends on the skill of the operator (CBC).

=Face=

This technology requires a person to sit in front of a digital camera while it tracks around 80 facial characteristics (CBC). The lighting must be perfect and the camera must line up the image perfectly (CBC).

Essentially, the technology measures the peaks and valleys of the face, such as the tip of the nose and the depth of the eye sockets, which are known as nodal points - the human face has 80 nodal points, only 14 to 22 are needed for recognition - concentrating on the inner region, which runs from temple to temple and just over the lip (CBC). This results in a face print. Face prints can also be stored on a smart card that users swipe through a door (CBC).

This technology has been around since the early 1990s and is used in more than 100 casinos in the United States (CBC).

=Voice=

Voice dynamics rely on the production of a "voice template" that is used to compare with a spoken phrase (CBC). A speaker must repeat a specific phrase several times as the system builds the template (CBC). This biometrics technique depends on the behaviour of the subject rather than the physical characteristics of the voice and is considered prone to inaccuracy (CBC).

The system verifies voices through passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) (CBC). A person must repeat the password and key in their PIN in order to gain access (CBC). The problem is that a person's voice is susceptible to sickness, drugs and emotions (CBC).

=Concerns=



"Many citizens fear that biometrics could be used to compile dossiers about them, their habits and their lives. Information such as health, race, age and behavioural characteristics can be garnered from some sorts of biometrics identifiers, leading to concerns that specific groups could be targeted." The collection and regulation of such information in centralized organizations such as governments and trans-national corporations give a large amount of power to a selected few. Therefore it can be understood that concerns over the use of such information against the free will of people will arise.

But....
In situations which require a level of high security such as air travel, ATM machines, electronic commerce people are willingly to use biometrics technology to facilitate their identity. However, in sitations which are more personal like logging into your computers, activating of your car, and etc, people are less willing to use biometrics. Thus people feel that in sitations where security is demanded biometrics is suitable, however, when it begins to invade your personal privacy than it should not be used. The real question is whether or not biometrics can exist in one realm without entering the other.

=Not a Perfect Technology=

Some people cannot provide the chosen biometric because they have immeasurable fingerprints or eyes. Thus, all biometric systems have a small number of people who simply cannot be enrolled. Other people can simply refuse the enrollment into such systems for their own personal beliefs. One could force people into the system, however, this would be a greatly contested issue on freedom to choose.

Further problems arise when it comes to the issue of identity theft. If you are using your fingerprint, or any part of your anatomy, as a form of biometric identification, you can not change it if it has been stolen. Your fingerprint will always remain the same. Your fingerprint may be stolen up to ten times, and after that you've run out of replacements.

Individuals may also easily obtain the biometric signature of anyone with little cost. Passwords are memorized and stored in the memories of its holders. Biometric templates are visible to anyone can be captured by Cameras. Once the biometric signature of an iris has been stolen that iris signature will be tainted for life. Likewise, tools are readily available and easily purchased which allow someone to remove a fingerprint from virtually anything you might touch.

How biometric data might be stored is also of a concern. If a database of biometric information is infiltrated those who have been affected might feel those affests for life since they will always hold the same biometric identification for life. Its not as simple as granting someone a new account and password. New eyes, and fingerprints can not be issued to someone who has had their biometric information stolen.

=External Links=

[|Biometrics Points to Greater Security] [|Biometrics - The Plan for Total Control]

=Bibliography=

Howarth, Fran. "Social barriers to the take up of biometrics." __IT-Director__. 15 Feb. 2005. 25 Feb. 2006 .

O'sullivan, Orla. "Biometrics Comes to Life." __Banking Journal__. 25 Feb. 2006 .

CBC news online. 14 Dec 2004. "Biometrics: the future of security." 28 Feb 2006 http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airportsecurity/biometrics.html.

Image "Biometrics 1" <[|source]> "Biometrics 2" <[|source]> "911" <[|source]>