ABSTRACT
Biometrics is a relatively new area of technology that uses unique and measurable physical, biological, or
behavioral traits of people to establish or to verify their identification. Identification and verification are two
separate operations. In identification, the biometric system asks and attempts to answer the question ‘‘Who is
this person?’’ by collecting and comparing biometric samples from an individual and comparing it to the
information contained in its database. This is a one-to-many search. With verification, the biometric system
asks and attempts to answer the question ‘‘Is this Joe?’’. Here, Joe claims he is Joe and submits biometric
samples that are compared to the information contained in the database for Joe. This is a one-to-one search.
Biometrics is most often used to perform identity verification for authorized access to computer networks or
secure facilities. The physical attributes typically used include face, iris, fingerprints, hand geometry,
handwriting, and voice. Compared to common identification methods, such as identification (ID) cards,
personal identification numbers (PINs), or passwords, biometrics is more convenient for users, has lower costs
for businesses, reduces fraud, and is more secure.
