biometric verification

Biometric verification is any means by which a person can be uniquely identified by evaluating one or more distinguishing biological traits. Unique identifiers include fingerprints, hand geometry, earlobe geometry, retina and iris patterns, voice waves, DNA, and signatures. The oldest form of biometric verification is fingerprinting. Historians have found examples of thumbprints being used as a means of unique identification on clay seals in ancient China. Biometric verification has advanced considerably with the advent of computerized databases and the digitization of analog data, allowing for almost instantaneous personal identification.

Iris-pattern and retina-pattern authentication methods are already employed in some bank automatic teller machines. Voice waveform recognition, a method of verification that has been used for many years with tape recordings in telephone wiretaps, is now being used for access to proprietary databanks in research facilities. Facial-recognition technology has been used by law enforcement to pick out individuals in large crowds with considerable reliability. Hand geometry is being used in industry to provide physical access to buildings. Earlobe geometry has been used to disprove the identity of individuals who claim to be someone they are not (identity theft). Signature comparison is not as reliable, all by itself, as the other biometric verification methods but offers an extra layer of verification when used in conjunction with one or more other methods.

No matter what biometric methodology is used, the identification verification process remains the same. A record of a person's unique characteristic is captured and kept in a database. Later on, when identification verification is required, a new record is captured and compared with the previous record in the database. If the data in the new record matches that in the database record, the person's identity is confirmed.

Learn more about Biometric Technology

	Identity and Access Management Services, Systems and Technologies: This Security School explores critical topics related to helping security practitioners establish and maintain an effective identity and access management plan.
Exploring authentication methods: How to develop secure systems: Discover authentication options and learn how to implement, maintain and secure methods of authentication, such as biometrics and smartcards to avoid breaches and protect data.
	Future authentication technologies: How to choose the right product: In this Identity and Access Management Security School lesson, Burton Group's Mark Diodati explores innovative and cost-effective user-based authentication technologies.
Identity and access management final exam: Find out how much you learned in Identity and Access Management Security School and the areas where you need to focus more attention.
Secure user authentication: Regulations, implementation and methods: Learn about the FFIEC's mandate, how to choose the right authentication option for diverse user communities and how to implement an authentication strategy.
	Identity and Access Management Services, Systems and Technologies: This Security School explores critical topics related to helping security practitioners establish and maintain an effective identity and access management plan.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

More resources from around the web: - SearchSecurity.com features a special topic about biometric verification. - The Biometric Consortium serves as the US Government's focal point for personal identification/verification technology. - The University of San Jose Web site has an online publication that explains what's involved in implementing biometric verification.

FILE EXTENSION AND FILE FORMAT LIST File Extension and File Format List: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

RELATED CONTENT Group to shed light on secure identity management threats Identity management technologies are struggling to keep pace with constantly evolving nature of attacks, according to the Center for Applied Identity... Biometrics project studies ways to combat bank fraud Industry consortium launches effort to see how biometrics could improve customer authentication and battle identity theft. Analyst says iris scanning... Apple iPhone app could boost two-factor IT costs and user acceptance has hindered deployments of two-factor authentication. But a new Apple iPhone application could increase use once...

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary biometric payment  (SearchSecurity.com) Biometric payment is a point of sale technology in which a customer submits biometric data, such as a fingerprint, to authorize the deduction of... electro-optical fingerprint recognition  (SearchSecurity.com)