Reid (senior product manager, Cryptometrics) introduces the technical capabilities and limitations of computer biometric systems for measuring fingerprints, eye characteristics, or other body information as a computer security measure serving a similar purpose to personal identification numbers. He describes the workings of the different types of technologies and examines some of the mathematics behind biometric systems. He also describes the conceptualization and implementation of a particular system with which he was involved. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

* Biometrics authentication, which relies on fingerprints, speech, or other physical characteristics, is an increasingly important means of protecting critical data * Gives security professionals specific guidelines, applications, and procedures for implementing a biometric security system in a LAN, WAN, or wireless infrastructure * Covers fingerprint identification, hand geometry, speaker recognition, face location, retina scanning, and multibiometrics * Companion Web site contains articles, papers, source code, and product guides

Modern biometrics delivers an enhanced level of security by means of a “proof of property”. The design and deployment of a biometric system, however, hide many pitfalls, which, when underestimated, can lead to major security weaknesses and privacy threats. Issues of concern include biometric identity theft and privacy invasion because of the strong connection between a user and his identity. This book showcases a collection of comprehensive references on the advances of biometric security technology. It compiles a total of fourteen articles, all contributed by thirty-two eminent researchers in the field, thus providing concise and accessible coverage of not only general issues, but also state-of-the-art solutions. The book is divided into five parts: (1) Biometric Template Protection, which covers cancellable biometrics and parameter management protocol; (2) Biometric Key and Encryption, focusing on biometric key generation and visual biometric cryptography; (3) Biometric Systems Analysis, dealing with biometric system security, and privacy evaluation and assessment; (4) Privacy-Enhanced Biometric Systems, covering privacy-enhanced biometric system protocol design and implementation; and (5) Other Biometric Security Technologies. The book will be of particular interest to researchers, scholars, graduate students, engineers, practitioners and developers interested in security and privacy-related issues in biometric systems. It will also be attractive to managers of various organizations with strong security needs.

Security and Access Control Using Biometric Technologies, International Edition presents an introduction to biometrics or the study of recognizing individuals based on their unique physical or behavioral traits, as they relate to computer security. The book begins with the basics of biometric technologies and discusses how and why biometric systems are emerging in information security. An emphasis is directed towards authentication, authorization, identification, and access control. Topics covered include security and management required to protect valuable computer and network resources and assets, and methods of providing control over access and security for computers and networks. Written for a broad level of readers, this book applies to information system and information technology students, as well as network managers, security administrators and other practitioners. Oriented towards the practical application of biometrics in the real world, Security and Access Control Using Biometric Technologies provides the reader with a realistic view of the use of biometrics in the ever-changing industry of information security.

This important text/reference presents the latest secure and privacy-compliant techniques in automatic human recognition. Featuring viewpoints from an international selection of experts in the field, the comprehensive coverage spans both theory and practical implementations, taking into consideration all ethical and legal issues. Topics and features: presents a unique focus on novel approaches and new architectures for unimodal and multimodal template protection; examines signal processing techniques in the encrypted domain, security and privacy leakage assessment, and aspects of standardization; describes real-world applications, from face and fingerprint-based user recognition, to biometrics-based electronic documents, and biometric systems employing smart cards; reviews the ethical implications of the ubiquity of biometrics in everyday life, and its impact on human dignity; provides guidance on best practices for the processing of biometric data within a legal framework.

Security and authentication issues are surging to the forefront of the research realm in global society. As technology continues to evolve, individuals are finding it easier to infiltrate various forums and facilities where they can illegally obtain information and access. By implementing biometric authentications to these forums, users are able to prevent attacks on their privacy and security. Biometrics: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a multi-volume publication highlighting critical topics related to access control, user identification, and surveillance technologies. Featuring emergent research on the issues and challenges in security and privacy, various forms of user authentication, biometric applications to image processing and computer vision, and security applications within the field, this publication is an ideal reference source for researchers, engineers, technology developers, students, and security specialists.

Biometric recognition-the automated recognition of individuals based on their behavioral and biological characteristic-is promoted as a way to help identify terrorists, provide better control of access to physical facilities and financial accounts, and increase the efficiency of access to services and their utilization. Biometric recognition has been applied to identification of criminals, patient tracking in medical informatics, and the personalization of social services, among other things. In spite of substantial effort, however, there remain unresolved questions about the effectiveness and management of systems for biometric recognition, as well as the appropriateness and societal impact of their use. Moreover, the general public has been exposed to biometrics largely as high-technology gadgets in spy thrillers or as fear-instilling instruments of state or corporate surveillance in speculative fiction. Now, as biometric technologies appear poised for broader use, increased concerns about national security and the tracking of individuals as they cross borders have caused passports, visas, and border-crossing records to be linked to biometric data. A focus on fighting insurgencies and terrorism has led to the military deployment of biometric tools to enable recognition of individuals as friend or foe. Commercially, finger-imaging sensors, whose cost and physical size have been reduced, now appear on many laptop personal computers, handheld devices, mobile phones, and other consumer devices. Biometric Recognition: Challenges and Opportunities addresses the issues surrounding broader implementation of this technology, making two main points: first, biometric recognition systems are incredibly complex, and need to be addressed as such. Second, biometric recognition is an inherently probabilistic endeavor. Consequently, even when the technology and the system in which it is embedded are behaving as designed, there is inevitable uncertainty and risk of error. This book elaborates on these themes in detail to provide policy makers, developers, and researchers a comprehensive assessment of biometric recognition that examines current capabilities, future possibilities, and the role of government in technology and system development.