Biometric Authentication : Enhancing Security Standards

Before we start discussing biometric authentication technology, let us first understand what exactly is "authentication", and how we can greatly enhance exisiting systems by making them biometrics enabled.

If you would search the net for definition of authentication, you will probably find many of them floating around. But, when it comes to biometric authentication, we specifically picked this one;

"The process of identifying an individual, usually based on a username and password. In security systems, authentication is distinct from authorization , which is the process of giving individuals access to system objects based on their identity. Authentication merely ensures that the individual is who he or she claims to be, but says nothing about the access rights of the individual." If you read carefully, a very fine difference has been explained between 'authentication' and 'authorization'. What this means is, if somebody else were to know your username and password, they can easily pose as being you to the security system and gain access. To solve this existing systems are now using an added layer of authorization. This is where biometric authentication comes in.

Now, with biometric authentication systems, this extra layer is not needed. Biometric authentication systems are based on the verification of a user's identity by means of a physical trait or behavioral characteristic that can't easily be changed and is unique to the user, such as a fingerprint.

Biometric authentication systems replace the 'what you know', and 'what you have' approach with the 'who you are' approach, thus ensuring secure systems.

Biometric authentication systems work on two basic ideas, namely identification and verification. You can read more about each of them at;

* Biometric Identification
* Biometric Verification

If you are interested in biometrics authentication systems, please click through to our biometric devices section and have a look at the various systems available.