Biometrics
Hearing the term biometrics makes individuals draw a picture of the fingerprints at the back of their minds, but originally biometrics is a term related to the human body itself. Originally the term biometric entails the measurement of human characteristics in a matrix form. Biometric measurements are unique and irreversible depending on their types. This is why in modern-day identification biometrics measurements ensure maximum efficiency.
Since time immemorial, human beings have used faces to identify known and unknown individuals. However, this became more challenging due to an increase in human populations in different parts of the world. Therefore, biometrics were used as a means of identifying offenders in society and as a form of a signature on contracts. For instance, in a cave estimated to be at least thirty one years old, the walls are adorned with paintings believed to be created by prehistoric men who lived there. Surrounding these paintings are numerous handprints that are felt to “have acted as an unforgettable signature” of its originator. Besides, there is enough evidence that fingerprints were used as an individual’s mark as early as 500 B.C. “Babylonian business transactions are recorded in clay tablets that include fingerprints.”
Since 1960 biometric technology has experienced a boom. This period saw the development of semi-automated facial recognition methods that required the administrators to analyze facial features within an image and extract usable feature points. By 1969, fingerprint and facial recognition were so widely used in law enforcement, the FBI for instance, put funding towards developing automated processes. This was a catalyst for the development of more sophisticated sensors for biometric capture and data extraction. By 1994, the first iris recognition algorithm was patented. Besides, it was discovered that blood vessel patterns in eyes were unique to everyone and were used for authentication as well. In 1991, facial detection technology was developed making real-time recognition possible. While these processes had many faults, they skyrocketed interest in face recognition development. By the 2000s, hundreds of biometric authentication recognition algorithms were functional and patented within the USA. Biometrics were no longer being implemented in just a large corporation or a government setting. They were sold in commercial products and were implemented at large scale events like the 2001 Super Bowl.
Since 2000, scientific studies on matters related to biometric technology has continued to advance at an alarming rate. As a result, biometrics has become part of everyday life for individuals from different parts of the world. For example, in 2013, Apple included fingerprints to unlock the iPhone making it possible for biometrics to be accepted as a means of authentication. As a result, most mobile phone companies have the biometric capability.
Biometrics have broken the barrier of only being used in matters related to security and especially in criminal identification and have evolved to personal security level and reached cloud computing as well. Through biometrics, individuals’ lives have taken a drastic turn reforming manual tasks into automation and providing that extra layer of security. It is not only affecting individuals’ lives but also as a community in a myriad of ways as seen below.
Biometrics plays an essential role in making the lives of individuals easy through enhancing security. Biometric authentication and identification are changing the way people do and see things. In the US the Department of Homeland Security uses biometric technology to prevent illegal entry into the country. Through this, the security of the country is secured as bad guys and especially terrorists are prevented from entering the country hence protecting people and their property from potential attacks. Biometric technology also plays an essential role in administering proper immigration benefits in the country. Individuals who have not entered the criminal justice system are not denied a chance to travel in and outside of the country whether for personal or business activities. However, individuals who can expose danger to the rest of the community are denied an opportunity to travel out of the country through which they can escape the full force of the law. Besides, through biometrics, the security department of security can detect re-offenders through which they can get stricter punishments for committing crimes. Also, criminals are brought out of circulation for the greater good of the country.
Moreover, biometrics such as iris scan is widely used in airports. The use of facial recognition technology is used to scan staff, customers, and passersby. In case there is an occurrence of a crime, they can always recognize who committed the crime. Through this time is saved as security checks are minimized, less hassle created, there is reduced staff cost and maximum efficiency is ensured.
Financial institutions all over the globe have embraced the use of biometric technology. For instance, recently the Bank of Russia authorized mass biometric data enrollment for all the account holders of all the banks of Russia. This system will make it possible for an account holder to make any payment, do transactions, or apply for a loan just through a smart mobile device that has biometric scanners installed in it. Besides, ATMs are now using fingerprint, facial recognition, or iris scanner to ease access. Recently also, the World Food Organization in collaboration with United Nations High Commission for Refugees installed an iris scanning payment system to allow the refugees to purchase what they need from the funding they are receiving without even getting the money in cash. This system automatically scans and identifies the account holder and checks the balance and makes the payment. With this system, maximum fraud protection is now possible in terms of donation.
Biometric technology has also made it easy to conduct national and political activities such as elections. The biometric voter registration system. This system registers a voter, identifies him or her during the voting process, automatically checks if he or she has voted before. There is no way of fraud since biometric measurements are in use here. People are also able to get their national identification cards through facial and fingerprint scan registration.
Biometric technology is also widely used to protect the ecosystem. For instance, in an attempt to protect endangered species such as elephants and rhinos, every visitor has to go through a biometric fingerprint and facial scanning system to keep away poachers. Drones are also used to monitor the animals.