Types of Biometric Systems
Published on : January 28, 2019
What are the different types of biometric systems?
- Fingerprint recognition
- Facial recognition
- Iris recognition
- Voice recognition
Gone are the days where paper-based security systems or government/corporate sign-in and sign-out systems are being used. Today, the use of devices that convert unique physical quantities into electrical signals are the best means of providing top-class security and to create distinct identification details.
By identifying a person’s physical or behavioral characteristics, biometrics are being used as authentication and identifications systems that are slowly replacing the old PIN number and password systems. In modern times, Philippine biometrics systems use a variety of physical and behavioral identification methods; from the common fingerprint scan to the complex DNA scanners.
Types of Biometric Systems
Biometric systems have been rapidly evolving to keep user identification or user data safe from hackers or other data invasion techniques. Access control systems in the Philippines have been made safer due to the advancement of technology.
In the Philippines, biometric systems are being implemented in office spaces, condominiums, and banks in order to keep communities, money, and information safe. Here are a few of the most popular biometric systems being used today:
Fingerprint Recognition
This is the oldest form of biometric system and one of the most widely used methods of biometric scanning in the world. It is also considered not only the cheapest biometric method but also the safest. It comes with no surprise as to why fingerprint recognition scanners are the most reliable form of biometric methods, it’s development can be dated back to 1981 when it was used for forensic investigation.
Today, the use of fingerprint recognition is widespread across the world. It’s availability, cost, and level of development make it the ideal security measure for office door locks and even in high-security establishments. The use of these systems can also be found as office sign-in/sign-out systems, where an employee scans his/her fingerprint instead of having to punch in your time with a card. Even mobile phones use fingerprint recognition as a security feature to unlock one’s device.
Facial Recognition
Facial recognition is the most natural way of identifying a person. It is what humans have relied on for years. Today, high-tech cameras and facial recognition software can identify a person’s face through facial mapping and algorithms. This biometric system is often associated with security surveillance to identify people from a distance. Facial recognition systems are not as complex as many think; basically, setting up this form of a biometric system requires a digital camera and facial recognition software.
In recent years, the development of facial recognition has seen rapid growth. What once was a security sector biometric method has now been made available in the hands of smartphone users. With the commercial availability of facial recognition software and applications, this method is being used as a security measure for smartphones as well as other computers.
Iris Recognition
Iris recognition is one of the most secure and most developed biometric systems to date. It’s a popular method used in financial and security establishments. The speed of the process and low margin of error of these iris recognition scanners are what makes them a top choice for different types of institutions.
The iris is the colored portion of a human’s eye. The iris’ formation is made up of asymmetric thread-like structures that dilate or contract to allow a substantial amount of light to pass through a person’s eye. These thread-like structures are what iris recognition systems scan. It is said that the thread-like structures are unique for every individual, like a person’s fingerprint. Some of these biometric systems even come with a “liveness” feature that requires the user to blink before the iris is scanned. Recognized as one of the most stable forms of biometric systems, iris recognition is not 100% perfect. Age and eye disease could affect the structure of your iris, requiring one to recalibrate their authentication.
Voice Recognition
Voice recognition systems identify a person based on speech recognition and voice patterns. This mode of authentication attempts to recognize who is speaking through the user’s pitch, the pronunciation of words, and voice modulation; and the spoken words. Voice recognition is one of the most complex biometric systems.
Although the development of voice recognition is promising, it is still not a choice for high-security applications. One may easily fool the system with a voice recording or even slip through identification by mimicking a person’s voice. Its development is important for the improvement of artificial intelligence, as it bridges the gap of interaction between man and machine. Though not the best choice for high-security measures, this may still be used for phone services.
Key Takeaway
Modern society has seen the vast improvement of technology throughout many different landscapes. Former means of security have been commercialized and made available as a common means of authentication and user verification.
Offices and high-security establishments may even be seen to use the same type of biometric security system to lock important rooms. Today’s verification systems no longer use a pen and paper or PIN code systems to verify a user. Access control systems in the Philippines make use of the latest technologies in order to combat any forms of potential compromises.