Est. 2min 23-05-2002 (updated: 29-01-2010 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Biometrics – hype and reality Biometric technologies are currently attracting considerable government and private interest, especially since the World Trade Center attack. This could lead to substantial growth of this fledgling market. Biometric authentication systems identify or verify someone’s identity on the basis of physiological or behavioural characteristics. Since biometric features are intrinsically intertwined with the person associated with them, the emerging field of biometric authentication seems to be ideally suited to verify a claimed identity, or to reveal one that is concealed. In principle, this could solve a number of pressing security problems, like credit card fraud or the tracing of criminals. In addition, biometric technologies are often claimed to deliver higher security or greater convenience at a lower price and at reduced processing times in comparison with traditional technologies like passwords and smart cards. There is no compelling evidence, however, that these benefits – security or convenience and costs – have ever been substantiated simultaneously in an actual biometric authentication scheme. Biometric authentication schemes require a trade-off between security and convenience. Independent research indicates that biometric technologies are at present not reliable enough to replace traditional technologies in mass-market applications, e.g. financial services. Biometric surveillance systems are not likely to play a significant role in the location of criminals in the near or medium future either. Biometric systems have been successfully employed, however, as an additional layer of security fortifying traditional authentication schemes in sensitive areas – such as nuclear power plants, computer centres and military facilities. The higher costs of a combined system can be justified when a high level of security is required. As the biometric technologies mature, they will increasingly be employed to guard less security-sensitive areas, such as airports, factories and offices. The timeframe for this maturation and diffusion process is 2-6 years. For networked products, like automated teller machines, it is 10 years. For in-depth analysis on this topic, see the full analysis by Deutsche Bank Biometrics – hype and reality.
