Biometrics: Question Mark or Exclamation Point?

Letter From the Editor
Vic Wheatman
26 February 2002

Biometrics have been on the verge of market acceptance for several years. Providing "something you are" (e.g., fingerprint or retina scan) in addition to "something you know" (e.g., user identification or password) and "something you have" (e.g., security token, "smart card" or "dongle") is appealing because if it works correctly, the biometric identifies the individual requesting access rather than raising the question, "Did someone else use the password or token?"

Although biometric techniques often are depicted in movies as high-tech ways to control access to secure places, such as the villain's nuclear missile launch sites and secret "fortresses of good or evil," we’ve found most biometric systems are limited to the doors of the data center.  Read more

LFTE

atv  

Biometrics Now?
26 February 2002
Andrew Phillips

Are enterprises, and society at large, ready for biometric controls for user access, public safety and other applications? Privacy and user acceptance issues remain problematic, as does technology readiness.

scurity   Biometrics: How Do They Measure Up?
21 February 2002
Ant Allan

Biometrics can provide stronger user authentication than other single-factor methods, but they are diverse and vary widely in cost, performance and other characteristics. Different biometrics fit different application requirements.

security   Consumers Aren't Ready For Biometrics
14 January 2002
Laura Behrens

Pervasive applications with demonstrated benefits will encourage eventual consumer acceptance of biometric technologies.

security   Sorting the Crowds: Biometrics for Mass Access Control
26 February 2002
Rich Mogull

Interest in using biometric technology for access control for large groups is increasing; however, significant identification and process issues must be addressed before biometrics will be ready for mass access situations.

security   Biometrics for Mass Access Control: Scenarios
26 February 2002
Rich Mogull

Biometric technology is receiving increased attention for use in securing public spaces. Is it ready for use in high-volume areas such as concert and sport venues, airports, and large public buildings?

security   Fingerprint Technology Is Ready to Go
21 February 2002
Martin Reynolds

Fingerprint technology is ready for broad deployment as an alternative to password systems. However, enterprises must consider "spoofing" and privacy issues in their deployments.

security   Automotive Keyless Ignition: Going Biometric
22 February 2002
Mike Williams   Andrew Phillips

Auto manufacturers are migrating from "keyless entry systems" to "passive entry systems" with "keyless ignition." Biometric authentication adds security and safety to keyless ignition solutions.

security   Peripheral Vision: Iridian Eyes Authentication Market
19 November 2001
Jackie Fenn

Iridian's new strategy to provide iris authentication software to third-party hardware vendors will accelerate usability improvements and cost reductions for iris authentication.

security   Pointing the Finger at Biometric Technology
26 June 2001
Andrew Phillips

Many biometric products have the potential for technical improvement and require application-specific and vendor-specific advice for optimum performance.