Biometrics is the application of computer science and the study of physical characteristics that identify individuals. It is a technology used to authenticate, or verify, the identity of a person or persons based on unique characteristics such as fingerprints, voice recognition, iris and facial recognition, and more. This technology is often used to secure computing systems and protect information.
Biometric systems are classified into two types: static and dynamic. Static biometrics involve the use of physical characteristics still found on the body even after the individual has left the physical presence of the system, such as fingerprint or voice recognition. Dynamic biometrics involve the use of physical characteristics that change continuously, such as facial shape or gait analysis.
The sensors used in biometric systems are designed to be extremely accurate and they are able to measure miniscule changes in characteristics. This allows the system to identify individuals with a very high degree of certainty. The data collected by the devices is compared to pre-registered stored profiles of the individual. If the two match, the identity of the individual is confirmed.
Biometric systems are used in a wide range of applications, such as banking, healthcare, law enforcement, secure access systems and government projects. They are also used in other everyday situations such as for driver licensing, visa and passport applications, and electronic voting.
In addition to providing a secure form of identity verification, biometric systems also aid in the privacy management of sensitive data. Since biometric systems are not easily transferable, like traditional identity documents such as passports, they can help to protect against identity theft by preventing unauthorized access.
Biometrics are becoming an important part of our day to day lives, as they are integrated into more and more systems. With this growing acceptance come concerns about privacy, security, and accuracy. As biometric security continues to advance, it is important to ensure that all systems are secure and that the personal information of individuals is adequately protected.
