Biometric technologies set to improve safety

Recent terrorist atrocities have highlighted the lack of appropriate defences against such actions in various parts of the world. As a result, everyone is becoming more conscious of the need to improve security.

We've been lucky in Australia so far, from the point of view of having had no local terrorist activity, but our involvement in overseas conflicts has brought our peaceful nation into the limelight. We simply cannot afford to be complacent. We need to make some changes and make them now before trouble strikes.

The fact is we're at the cusp of a new era where security requirements will become part of our daily lives. Already there is an increasing demand for technology, processes and management to minimise the infiltration of buildings, structures, public transport, etc and the first real changes we're likely to see are when we're travelling.

The USA is pushing very heavily for biometric passport identification. They had originally set an October 2003 deadline for its implementation but the logistics are proving to be somewhat of a problem so the US State Department has now postponed this requirement until October 2004. After that time, everyone entering the USA will need a biometric marked, machine-readable visa or passport.

The reason for the slowdown in implementation is that these systems cost money and take time to install. The feeling in the US is that in reality it will take 10-12 years before biometrics is on everyone's passport. In the meantime the technology is being tested in Sweden while the European Community has stated that it will require a fingerprint or iris scan on all new passports. The Japanese government has also said that they will start issuing biometric passports by fiscal 2005.

Whether we like it or not, biometric identification is on its way. It is one of the most secure solutions available as it is the only technology that allows the physical attributes of an individual to be interrogated.

Aside from passports and visas, the biometrics can also be implemented to enable people to gain access to information, plant, buildings and/or equipment.

The ability to determine through positive identification that a person is authorised and qualified to undertake an activity, or to prove authenticity, has merit.

Gaining access to corporate offices or government buildings should not be allowed until the biometric security system has determined and confirmed the actual person entering, not merely the device they might be using to gain entry. Similarly, with PC logon and e-commerce payment systems, an authorisation technology that emulates personal signatures should be utilised - biometrics (or digital signatures) offers this solution.

All individuals are created with unique genetic characteristics, these can be utilised with the current technology for personal identification purposes. The two technologies that have proved successful so far, fingerprint and iris systems, can ascertain with a high degree of confidence that the individual is who they purport to be.

Taking the scenario even further, if you combine biometrics technology with smart card systems, then a truly ideal and affordable solution is born. Some suppliers, for instance, are now incorporating the finger template within the smart card memory space. Each user then carries their identification from location to location without the need for a comprehensive communication infrastructure for verification at each point. This method also covers some other important issues. No central database and therefore no privacy issues, plus simple integration with existing security platforms. The user can easily badge the smart card at a reader and place their finger on an optical lens for verification and identification.

An iris template can also be added to a smart card and used identically to the fingerprint for an optional approach to identifying an individual. Both offer conversion to a digital picture for comparison with the actual user for authentication.

Other technologies currently being enhanced include facial and voice recognition and even combinations of these. Each characteristic must be unique and able to be digitised for computer or reader technology conversions and ultimately, 100 per cent verification.

The major benefit of biometrics is the ability to verify a user wanting access using technology instead of security personnel. The need for a manual security platform, with its associated inherent deficiencies, is eliminated.

Biometric technology can also be used to scan faces in crowds, picking out potential troublemakers and matching characteristics on a database, enabling security personnel to be alerted to potential problems.

Without a doubt, biometrics is the answer for improving safety and security and we'll be seeing all sorts of uses over the coming years. It's possible that even lip and nose prints will be added to the bag of unique genetic identifiers and while it may only be the humourist who suggests that you need to kiss your PC good morning, it's not beyond the realm of possibility.