Understanding Security

Controlling Access with Biometrics

About 2 min read

SCSchool for Champions LLC

Biometrics is the use of biological signatures to identify a person. Such a signature can be used to allow access to a physical or computer area. Like any method, it has its advantages and disadvantages, but it seems like a promising method to control access.

Questions you may have include:

What are some biometric methods?
What are the advantages of biometrics?
What are the disadvantages of biometrics?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Using biometrics

Using biometrics to control access to an area or a computer consists of using such biological signatures of facial features, the pattern of the iris in a person’s eye, fingerprints, and a voiceprint. A digital pattern of the person is stored in a database and compared with the biometric signature read by some device.

This is as opposed to using a person’s written signature, password, key or photo to identify the person and allow access.

Advantages

The primary advantage is that each biometric signature is essentially unique and impossible to forge.

Another advantage of such a method is that information is stored in a database, so the signature could be used anywhere by simply accessing the database.

Finally, it is better than using a password or key that could be lost or stolen. The password in this case is the person himself.

Disadvantages

A major disadvantage of using biometrics is the cost of implementing it. Although the price is dropping. There are some digital fingerprint readers for use with a PC that cost around $100.

There is fear from civil liberty groups that using biometrics with information stored in databases that can be accessed anywhere in the country may lead to abuses in person freedom and privacy. Reasons for resistance is similar to that against a national ID system.

Summary

Biometrics, such as using an iris pattern or voiceprint, along with signatures stored in a database is an effective way to control access to an area or a computer. This has the advantage of unique signatures that are impossible to forge. Concern about freedom and privacy issues has caused some resistance to using biometrics for security.

Answers to Readers’ Questions

Think logically and clearly

Resources

The following are some resources on this topic.

Web sites

Security Resources

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

QUIZ

Self-check your understanding

How can you use biometrics to limit access to a computer system?
You can't because computers require passwordsSorry, not correct. Try another button. A camera takes your picture and compares it with a National databaseGood try, but not right. Select another answer. A thumbprint reader can be attached to the USB portThat's correct. You look like a Security Champion.
What is an advantage of using biometrics?
Biological signatures are uniqueCorrect answer. You are improving! Criminals are afraid of biometricsSorry, not correct. Try another button. It is very inexpensive and easy to useOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again.
What is a disadvantage of using biometrics?
Fingerprints can be forgedGood try, but not right. Select another answer. People may lose their privacy is the system is abusedThat's correct. You look like a Security Champion. A security guard must be presentOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again.

Pick an answer to see instant feedback. Re-read the lesson if you miss one.

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Security. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

What do you think?

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