Reference

Definitions to help de-code some technical terms, sometimes used when discussing our Biometrics products.

Accuracy A catch-all phrase for describing how well a Biometric System performs.

Algorithm
A limited sequence of instructions or steps that tells a computer system how to solve a particular problem.

ANSI - American National Standards Institute
A private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.

Application Programming Interface (API)
Formatting instructions or tools used by an application developer to link and build hardware or software applications.

Arch
A fingerprint pattern in which the friction ridges enter from one side, make a rise in the center, and exit on the opposite side.

Attempt
The submission of a single set of Biometric sample to a Biometric system for identification or verification.

Authentication
In Biometrics, "authentication" is sometimes used as a generic synonym for verification.

Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS)
Generic term sometimes used in the Biometrics community to discuss a Biometric system.

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
A highly specialized Biometric system that compares a submitted fingerprint record (usually of multiple fingers) to a database of records, to determine the identity of an individual.

Biological Biometric Characteristic
A Biometric characteristic based primarily on an anatomical or physiological characteristic, rather than a learned behavior.

Biometrics
A general term used alternatively to describe a characteristic or a process.

Encryption
The act of transforming data into an unintelligible form so that it cannot be read by unauthorized individuals.

False Acceptance Rate (FAR)
A statistic used to measure Biometric performance when operating in the verification task.

Fingerprint Recognition
A Biometric modality that uses the physical structure of an individual’s fingerprint for recognition purposes.

Identification
A task where the Biometric system searches a database for a reference matching a submitted Biometric sample, and if found, returns a corresponding identity.

Performance
A catch-all phrase for describing a measurement of the characteristics, such as accuracy or speed, of a Biometric algorithm or system.

Recognition
A generic term used in the description of Biometric systems (e.g. face recognition or iris recognition) relating to their fundamental function.

User
A person, such as an administrator, who interacts with or controls end users’ interactions with a Biometric system.

Verification
A task where the Biometric system attempts to confirm an individual’s claimed identity by comparing a submitted sample to one or more previously enrolled templates.

Vulnerability
The potential for the function of a Biometric system to be compromised by intent (fraudulent activity); design flaw (including usage error); accident; hardware failure; or external environmental condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

The advanced technology of Biometrics may bring a lot of questions to mind. Here are some simple answers to any  questions you may have regarding our products.

Q: What are Biometrics?

A: Biometrics are concerned with the identification of an individual based on their unique physiological or behavior characteristics.  These include (but are not limited to) a person’s fingerprint, iris print, hand, face, voice, gait or signature.

Q: Where can Biometrics be used?

A: Biometrics can be used in almost any application that requires the accurate identification of an individual.  This ranges from computers where a fingerprint can scan on the mouse can verify the identity of a user to nuclear power plants where various Biometrics are used to restrict access to the critical systems.

Q: Do fingerprints change when you get older?

A: Once a person stops growing their fingerprints are largely constant.

Q: Are Biometrics new and unsafe?

A: One myth that Biometrics are new and unsafe.  Biometrics in the modern world are as old as the use of a signature, or the attaching of a photo to a document.  The safe and secure storage of your Biometrics should be no more concerning than providing your billing address information to the businesses you already trust with your personal details.  Almost all identity theft today happens from traditional sources (for instance stealing or making a drivers license or passports) in fact Biometrics can act to help protect your identity.  It’ll be a lot harder in the future for an acrimonious relationship breakup to result in a partner creating havoc in your life because they know all your passwords or secret answers, and it’ll also be a lot harder for criminals to take over your identity.  Examples abound of the break-down of traditional identity systems based on name matching where the wrong people are detained, and sometimes even jailed because of a lack of other ways to establish identity.

Q: Is a Biometric system very costly?

A: On average Biometrics these days are not much more expensive than most other secure second factors.  Many Biometrics systems work from relatively inexpensive sensors such as cameras or phones, and even fingerprint sensors these days can be made cost efficient enough that they are starting to become standard add on items for laptops.