Transcript

Biometrics

Biometrics refers primarily to the measurement of physiological and behavioral characteristics to automatically identify people.

http://cubs.buffalo.edu/about_biometrics.shtml

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

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

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics

“The European Union has given the green light to biometric passports.”– Children’s passports” will not feature biometric

identification” because their fingerprints are still developing.

– Civil liberty and security researchers are objecting believing that “that storing so many biometric records in a central European database is a security risk.”

http://www.securecomputing.net.au/News/134477,eu-approves-biometric-

passports.aspx Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics

• Physiological characteristics – face – fingerprint – DNA

• Behavioral characteristics – signature – voiceprint – gait– http://cubs.buffalo.edu/about_biometrics.shtml

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

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

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

BiometricsIssues and Concerns: This could happen -

• DNA is planted at the scene of the crime• Assume another's identity by using the person’s 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 another’s 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

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics

Issues and Concerns

• Biometric measurements are more difficult to forge

• Since biometrics more problematic when lost or stolen

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics

Identity theft

Biometrics can confuse the solution• Credit card theft is a significant problem for the

individual involved. • BUT, If a person’s fingerprints are stolen, the

damage could be irreversible. • Are biometric technologies being used without

adequate safeguards?

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

BiometricsPrivacy

• 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 – Now organizations collect vast databases of

information on law-abiding members of the public.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

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?

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

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?

Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics & Forensics

• “Forensic Science– The application of the natural and physical

sciences to questions of legal or public concern.

– The most common application is the analysis of evidence, such as blood, hairs, fibers, bullets, and fingerprints, from criminal cases like bank robberies, homicides, and kidnappings.”

– Applied after a situation has occurred http://www.biometrics.org/bc2004/Presentations/Conference/

Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics & Forensics

• Biometrics is used before an event has

occurred. – “gaining access, surveillance, or verification– biometrics chooses which mode of

identification will be used”

http://www.biometrics.org/bc2004/Presentations/Conference/

Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics & Forensics

• Toolkit is often the same– Fingerprint analysis– Biometric identification– Video analysis– “Impression” analysis– Document analysis– Database comparison

http://www.mediacy.com/index.aspx?page=ForensicBiometrics

Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner

Biometrics & Forensics

• Using biometrics for digital identification – http://www.helium.com/items/1243592-fingerprint-vs-

biometrics

http://www.mediacy.com/index.aspx?page=ForensicBiometrics

Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner


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