Use this version. Email this to a friend. Some of the most popular biometric systems today include fingerprint recognition, iris scanning, retina scanning, face identification and voice identification. Using biometrics for computer security has become popular as government agencies search for more secure, convenient and cost-effective security measures. Biometric security systems solve the problem of forgotten, expired or stolen passwords that can compromise security and increase overall network administration costs.
Fingerprint recognition is one of the most feasible biometrics today for general-market purposes.
The technology is inexpensive, and fingerprint scanners can be miniaturized and easily mass-produced. Scanning a fingerprint is quick and easy for users, and data extracted from fingerprints is extremely dense, which makes fingerprints a reliable means of identification. Employees at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Cheyenne, Wyo., have been using Digital Persona Inc.'s U.are. U Fingerprint Recognition System for about three months, and the program has been a huge success, according to Tom Chalfant, the systems manager at the court. In addition, the passwords for different systems would expire at different times, adding to the burden of managing and remembering them.