Biometrics 101

Biometrics is the science and supporting technology of measuring and analyzing biological data. In information technology, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics (such as DNA, fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns, and hand measurements), primarily for authentication purposes.

Security and convenience. Authentication by biometrics is becoming increasingly common in corporate and public security systems, consumer electronics and point of sale (POS) applications. In addition to security, the driving force behind biometric verification is convenience. Biometrics is most commonly used as a form of identity access management and access control (both physical and logical access).

The overall proposition for the adaption of biometrics in humans’ lives is very compelling as the technology allows for a far greater level of convenience and security in most places where it can be applied. Allowing that implementation of this technology can begin to remove the need for carrying 3rd party identification documents (passports, driver licenses, credit/debit cards, etc.), currency and keys, the notion that we can live more comfortably and more safely, is real.