Biometrics for dummies : [learn to: use unique personal characteristics to protect your network and worksite, determine a system's accuracy, manage privacy issues, measure genetic and behavioral characteristics

Don't judge a book by its cover. Contrary to its self-effacing title, Biometrics for Dummies provides a thorough and comprehensive overview of the state of biometrics. Like all books in the For Dummies series, this one is reader-friendly and avoids jargon. It details the state of the art in biometric technology, covers various policy and privacy issues, and shows where the technology is headed. For the uninitiated, biometrics is the science of identifying humans based on unique physical characteristics, such as a fingerprint, retina, or signature. Biometric identifiers have been used for decades in IT and physical security. It has remained a niche market, though even before 9-11, technology and security industry pundits were always predicting that the next year would be the "Year of Biometrics." It is 2009, and that year has still not come, but more and more biometric technologies are arriving on the scene, and systems are being fielded on a sizeable scale. This growth is due in large part to various U.S. government mandates requiring biometrics for more effective authentication and identification, such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, which requires a biometric element in federal employees' identification credentials. This work focuses on comparing the various types of biometrics and shows that there is no "best" solution. Rather, every biometric technology has its own set of plusses and minuses, and it is up to you to decide what is best for your organization. The authors give readers all of the pertinent information to make an educated decision. They also explain how to effectively implement a biometrics initiative. What you can't find in the text itself, you can probably find using the comprehensive list of references and resources provided. Don't be misled by the title; this book really is a comprehensive overview of biometrics. And if 2010 does prove to be the Year of Biometrics, Biometrics for Dummies will help you implement biometric technology effectively. Only a dummy wouldn't read a book like that. Biometrics for Dummies 3 About the Authors 5 Dedication 7 Authors’ Acknowledgments 7 Contents at a Glance 9 Table of Contents 11 Introduction 19 About This Book 19 Foolish Assumptions 20 Conventions Used in This Book 20 What You Don’t Have to Read 20 How This Book Is Organized 20 Icons Used in This Book 22 Where to Go from Here 22 Write to Us! 23 Part I: Getting Started with Biometrics 25 Chapter 1: Understanding Biometrics 27 What Biometrics Are and Who’s Using Them 27 Types of Biometrics 29 How Biometric Systems Work 31 Characteristics of Biometric Systems 32 Benefits of Biometric Systems 33 Selecting a Biometric System 34 Implementing Biometrics 35 Understanding Biometrics Issues 36 Protecting Biometric Data and Infrastructure 37 Chapter 2: Protecting Assets with Biometrics 39 Speaking the Language: Biometric Concepts and Terms 39 Starting at Square One 40 Applying Triple A: Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting 45 Choosing the Best Fit 48 Chapter 3: Biometrics in Our Lives 53 Privacy Issues 54 Biometrics and U. S. Law 64 Biometrics and European Law 72 Biometrics and Laws in Other Countries 74 Ethics Issues with Biometrics 75 Part II: Types of Biometrics 79 Chapter 4: Fingerprint and Hand Biometrics 81 Fingerprints 81 Palm Scan 85 Hand Veins 87 Sonar/Ultrasonic 90 Comparing Hand-Based Biometric Types 92 Chapter 5: Signature Biometrics 93 Recognizing a Signature 94 Stylus Movement Dynamics (X and Y Directions) 98 Stylus-Pressure Dynamics 102 Heisenberg Applied to Biometrics 104 Comparing Signature-Based Biometric Types 106 Chapter 6: Retina and Facial Biometrics 107 Identifying a Retinal Scan 108 Iris Scanning 110 Facial Imaging 112 Upcoming Head-based Biometrics 116 Comparing Eye-and Face-Based Biometric Types 118 Chapter 7: Other Types of Biometric Identification Schemes 119 Recognizing Speech 120 DNA as a Biometric Recognition Technique 124 Gait-Recognition Biometrics 127 Typing Dynamics 129 Interesting Biometrics Not Ready for Prime Time 132 Comparing Biometric Identification Schemes 134 Part III: Implementing and Using Biometrics 137 Chapter 8: Selecting a Biometrics Solution 139 Identifying Selection Criteria 140 Identifying the Field of Possible Solutions 146 Testing Potential Solutions 152 Making the Selection 157 Chapter 9: Implementing, Supporting, and Maintaining a Biometrics Solution 159 Implementing the Biometrics System 159 Supporting Users 172 Maintaining a Biometric System 176 Chapter 10: Securing Biometrics Systems 181 Biometric System Threats and Vulnerabilities 181 Attacks on Biometric Systems 188 Protecting Biometric Infrastructure 194 Finding Sources of Security Information 201 Chapter 11: The Future of Biometrics 203 Improvements in Technologies 203 New Objects to Measure 218 Part IV: The Part of Tens 225 Chapter 12: Ten Tools Used in Biometrics 227 Credit-Card Fingerprint Scanner 227 Contactless Palm-Vein Imager 228 Mouse-Embedded Palm-Vein Scanner 228 Cardio-Signature Reader 229 Laptop Facial Recognition 230 Biometric Timecard Systems 230 Biometric Flash Drives, Portable Hard Drives, and Stuff 231 Survey Skills 232 Diplomacy . . . 233 Business Knowledge 233 Chapter 13: Ten Biometrics Web Sites 235 National Geographic and Sharbat Gula 235 Electronic Frontier Foundation 236 National Biometric Security Project 237 United States Department of Justice 238 National Institute of Standards and Technology 238 International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet 239 findBIOMETRICS. com 240 Third Factor Biometric Authentication News 241 Biometrics Catalog 241 John Daugman 242 Chapter 14: Ten Essentials for Biometrics Success 243 Align with the Goals of the Organization 243 Consider and Address Privacy Concerns 244 Survey the Users 245 Stick to the Plan 246 Be Flexible 247 Research the Problem 247 Research the Solution 248 Don’t Get Fancy 249 Talk to People with Working Installations 250 Do Not “Fire and Forget” 251 Chapter 15: Ten Biometrics Scenarios to Plan For 253 Alternate Entryway Access 253 High-Security Hosting 254 Port-of-Entry Identification 255 Law Enforcement 256 That Biometric Doesn’t Work for Me 256 I Object to the Invasion of My Privacy 257 We Found Malware on the Biometric Database Server 258 Biometric Readers in Objects 259 Behavioral Biometric Driving Sensors 260 Biometric Neighborhood Watch 261 Chapter 16: Ten Benefits of Biometrics 263 Cooperation Not Required 263 Guarantees Physical Location 264 High-Throughput 265 Unforgettable 265 Unlosable 266 Unsharable 267 Cost Reduction 268 Compliance 268 Emergency Identification 269 No Identity Theft 269 Coolness 270 Part V: Appendixes 271 Appendix A: Comparing Biometrics Solutions 273 Appendix B: Controlling Physical Access 279 Understanding General Principles 279 Using Barriers 281 Combining Efforts 286 Appendix C: Glossary 287

dig Into Biometric Identification The Fun And Friendly Dummies Way!

biometrics — The Science Of Identifying Humans Based On Unique Physical Characteristics — Is Growing In Popularity Among Security Experts And Security-minded Organizations. Once The Realm Of Futurists And Sci-fi, Biometrics Is Now Commonly Used To Reliably Control Whether To Let You Into A Facility Or Allow You To Use A Computer System. Here's What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It.

• No Lying Eyes — How Scans Of The Retina And Iris Establish A Person's Identity

• Triple A Gets You There — Understand How To Use Authentication, Authorization, And Audit Principles

• Security Vs. Privacy — How Various Countries Are Handling The Privacy Issues And What Can Be Done To Protect Citizens' Privacy

• Ethics, Please — Understand The Ethical Issues Raised By The Growing Use Of Biometric Information

• Palm Reading, 21st Century Style — How A Scan Of The Palm, Veins In The Hand, And Sonar Imagery Establish Identity

• Sign Here — What It Takes To Fully Authenticate A Signature

• Walk This Way — Using Gait, Speech, Linguistic Analysis, And Other Types Of Behavioral Biometrics

• Securing The Security — Learn The Many Vulnerabilities Of Biometric Systems And How To Guard Against Them

open The Book And Find:

• Behavioral As Well As Physiological Biometric Measures

• Tips For Choosing The Right Biometric System

• What Triple A Is And How To Use It

• An Overview Of Laws Regarding Biometrics

• How Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle Affects Signatures

• Criteria For Setting Up An Implementation Plan

• How Facial Imaging Is Used

• A Look At Where Biometrics Is Heading

What is biometrics? Whether you're just curious about how biometrics can benefit society or you need to learn how to integrate biometrics with an existing security system in your organization, "Biometrics For Dummies" can help.Here's a friendly introduction to biometrics -- the science of identifying humans based on unique physical characteristics. With the government's use of biometrics -- for example, biometric passport readers -- and application of the technology for law enforcement, biometrics is growing more popular among security experts. "Biometrics For Dummies" explains biometric technology, explores biometrics policy and privacy issues with biometrics, and takes a look at where the science is heading. You'll discover: How pattern recognition and fingerprint recognition are usedThe many vulnerabilities of biometric systems and how to guard against themHow various countries are handling the privacy issues and what can be done to protect citizens' privacyHow a scan of the palm, veins in the hand, and sonar imagery establish identityWhat it takes to fully authenticate a signatureHow gait, speech, linguistic analysis, and other types of biometric identification come into playThe criteria for setting up an implementation planHow to use authentication, authorization, and access principles Written by a pair of security experts, "Biometrics For Dummies" gives you the basics in an easy-to-understand format that doesn't scrimp on substance. You'll get up to speed and enjoy getting there What is biometrics? Whether you're just curious about how biometrics can benefit society or you need to learn how to integrate biometrics with an existing security system in your organization, Biometrics For Dummies can help. Here's a friendly introduction to biometrics — the science of identifying humans based on unique physical characteristics. With the government's use of biometrics — for example, biometric passport readers — and application of the technology for law enforcement, biometrics is growing more popular among security experts. Biometrics For Dummies explains biometric technology, explores biometrics policy and privacy issues with biometrics, and takes a look at where the science is heading. You'll discover: How pattern recognition and fingerprint recognition are used The many vulnerabilities of biometric systems and how to guard against them How various countries are handling the privacy issues and what can be done to protect citizens'privacy How a scan of the palm, veins in the hand, and sonar imagery establish identity What it takes to fully authenticate a signature How gait, speech, linguistic analysis, and other types of biometric identification come into play The criteria for setting up an implementation plan How to use authentication, authorization, and access principles Written by a pair of security experts, Biometrics For Dummies gives you the basics in an easy-to-understand format that doesn't scrimp on substance. You'll get up to speed and enjoy getting there!