Biometrics

1
Biometrics

• Biometrics refers primarily to the measurement of
  physiological and behavioral characteristics to
  automatically identify people.
• http//cubs.buffalo.edu/about_biometrics.shtml

2
Biometrics

• Biometrics is the study of automated methods for
  uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or
  more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits
• biometric authentication refers to technologies
  for measuring and analyzing human physical and
  behavioral characteristics for authentication
  purposes.
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

3
Biometrics

• Physiological characteristics
• face
• fingerprint
• DNA
• Behavioral characteristics
• signature
• voiceprint
• gait
• http//cubs.buffalo.edu/about_biometrics.shtml

4
Biometrics

• Issues and Concerns
• Technology has the potential to do great things.
  
• It also brings with it the potential to do harm.
  
• Are concerns surrounding biometric use real or
  imagined?
• Do our concerns prevent us from seeing the vast
  potential of the new technologies developed using
  biometrics
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

5
Biometrics

• Issues and Concerns This could happen -
• DNA is planted at the scene of the crime
• Assume another's identity by using the persons
  biometrics or simulating their biometrics. In
  this way, impersonate them without arousing
  suspicion
• Fool a fingerprint detector by using a piece of
  sticky tape with an authentic fingerprint on it
• Fool an iris recognition camera by showing a
  photo of anothers iris
• Hack into the interface between a biometric
  device and the host system, so that a "fail"
  message gets converted to a "pass".
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

6
Biometrics

• Issues and Concerns
• - More difficult to forge
• - More problematic when lost or stolen

7
Biometrics

• Identity theft
• Biometrics can confuse the solution
• Credit card theft is a significant problem for
  the individual involved.
• BUT, If a persons fingerprints are stolen, the
  damage could be irreversible.
• Are biometric technologies being used without
  adequate safeguards?

8
Biometrics

• Privacy
• Biometrics are often are touted as a way to
  reduce crime. Yet, privacy advocates fear
  biometrics may be used to decrease personal
  liberties of law abiding citizens.
• Developments in digital video, infrared, x-ray,
  wireless, global positioning satellite systems,
  image scanning, voice recognition, DNA, and brain
  wave fingerprinting provide government with new
  ways to "search" individuals and collect vast
  databases of information on law-abiding members
  of the public.
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

9
Biometrics

• Who is watching the watchers?
• The 4th Amendment guarantees free speech and a
  right to privacy. Do biometrics strip away these
  rights?
• If everyone is biometrically searched at a
  concert or sporting event and compared with a
  database of known terrorists we may be safer,
  but have we lost something in exchange?

10
Biometrics

• Sociological concerns
• As technology advances, more and more private
  companies and public utilities will use
  biometrics for safe, accurate identification.
• Is this the direction we want technology to go?
• Are there physical dangers
• Are retinal scans safe?
• How accurate are the devices in question?
• If DNA is found at the site of an investigation,
  who knows when I was there?