The Importance of a Biometric Authentication System

Abstract

A biometric or biometric identifier is an objective measurement of a physical characteristic of an individual which, when captured in a database, can be used to verify the identity or check against other entries in the database. Biometric Identification Systems can be grouped based on the main physical characteristic that lends itself to biometric identification; Fingerprint identification, Hand geometry, Palm Vein Authentication, Retina scan, Iris scan, Face recognition, Signature, Voice analysis. A biometric ID is notably harder to fake. In the long run, biometric identification promises to provide the global citizen with a sound identity management system, which could develop quite independently of nation states. Of course one could argue that this would be a tragedy, and that an ID management solution controlled and operated by governments is absolutely essential in order for government agencies to provide the services citizens expect to receive and to guarantee the survival of the same notion of state. Many private employers also require biometric identification systems to control access to workplaces or as cheat-proof time clocks.