In a world where technology is being integrated into more and more of our daily lives, the risk of theft has skyrocketed as many more channels where criminal activity can be carried out have surfaced. In order to combat this, the use of biometric security has grown greatly as well. Biometric security is used constantly in our lives whether it is online or physical, but what exactly is this new service and how does it work.
A Brief History of Biometric Security
The term “biometrics” is derived from the Greek words “bio” (life) and “metrics” (measure). Therefore, biometrics can be defined as the science of measuring the physical or behavioral characteristics of individuals for the purpose of identity verification. The use of biometrics for security purposes is not a new concept and has been used in various forms throughout history. Some early examples of biometric security systems include fingerprinting, which was first used in China during the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC), and iris recognition, which was used in ancient Persia.
Biometric security systems began to gain popularity in the Western world in the late 19th century, with police forces in England and the United States using fingerprinting for criminal identification purposes. In the early 20th century, biometrics were used increasingly for security purposes, particularly in relation to immigration. For example, in the United States, the Immigration Act of 1924 required all immigrants over the age of 16 to submit photographs as part of their application process. In the years following World War II, biometric security systems were used increasingly by government organizations for security purposes. For example, in the Soviet Union, citizens were issued internal passports that contained their fingerprints.
The use of biometric security systems has continued to grow in recent years, with a number of different technologies being used for identity verification purposes. The most common biometric technologies in use today include fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, and facial recognition. Biometric security systems are used in a variety of contexts, including border control, law enforcement, and access control. In addition, biometric data is increasingly being used for identity verification purposes in the private sector, with companies using biometrics to authenticate employees and customers.
What is biometric security?
Biometric security is a type of security that uses physical or behavioral characteristics to verify the identity of an individual. The most common biometric technologies in use today include fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, and facial recognition. Biometric security systems are used in a variety of contexts, including border control, law enforcement, and access control. In addition, biometric data is increasingly being used for identity verification purposes in the private sector, with companies using biometrics to authenticate employees and customers.
Biometric security has been integrated into many parts of our life that you may not be aware of. One of the biggest moves toward biometric security came from the Apple iPhone. Fingerprint scanning used the biometric aspects of your fingers that are unique to you and cannot be replicated. This gave a huge boost to the private security of one of the most vulnerable and vital pieces of technology in modern life. Now, most smartphones have face scanning biometrics which is quite possibly the most secure form.
Another newer integration of biometrics that has been implemented more and more in society is for home and property security. Biometric locks had been exclusively used by the government and related agencies for the necessary level of protection. However, now this technology is becoming increasingly available to the public. This is for both interior and exterior security of all types of homes and properties. More private citizens are turning to biometrics for the safety of their loved ones and belongings. Biometric smart locks can be set with the credentials of the people you want to have access to your home or property and guarantee your future safety.
The use of biometric security systems is likely to continue to grow in the future as technological advances make these systems more accurate and affordable. As biometric security systems become more widespread, it is important to ensure that they are used in a manner that respects individuals’ privacy and data protection rights.
What are the benefits of biometric security?
There are several benefits associated with the use of biometric security systems. These systems can provide a more secure and convenient alternative to traditional methods of identity verification, such as passwords and ID cards. In addition, biometric security systems can be used to help prevent identity theft and fraud.
Another benefit of biometric security systems is that they can be used to verify the identity of individuals in a variety of contexts, including border control, law enforcement, and access control. In addition, biometric data can be used for identity verification purposes in the private sector, with companies using biometrics to authenticate employees and customers.
In all areas, biometric security can drastically improve the safety and privacy of your workspace, home, or physical or intellectual property. The increase of biometrics in everyday life will likely continue as we can integrate it into more areas of society and increase its functionality.
