July 15, 2009
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Electronic Identity Systems, Pt.1
Biometrics.A rapidly growing security mechanism operates under the umbrella of Biometrics. Biometrics is important because it has become the underlying bases in a number of high profile credit card security developments. Biometrics are the records of a credit card user's physiological or behavioral characteristics which include body shape, fingerprints, face recognition, hand and palm prints, iris recognition, body scent, an individual's gait and voice, and DNA. An example of a biometric fingerprint identity system is the one Disney uses at their theme parks with its multi day and annual passes. A biometric system would tie one of these individual characteristics to the credit card and requires verification at the point of sale. Some elementary schools are using biometric verification systems in the school lunch programs.
Within a very large international population there exists a very high probability that many individuals share biometric characteristics that are very similar. Therefore, to assure that a credit card biometric security mechanism is highly reliable, the characteristic of choice must contain a very high accuracy. From a consumer's point of view, the biometric system has the advantage in that there would be no need for the individual to carry around any added identification token or to remember those often difficult to remember passwords. A simple swipe of a fingerprint or laser eye beam and in a split second approved. No personal information or credit card information is transmitted onto the internet making it virtually impossible for a hacker to gather information.
As good as it sounds, biometrics have their drawbacks. First, they system is very costly and requires extensive training. The fact that authorization at the point of sale is completely dependent on knowing that the person who presented himself as authentic during the registration process, makes the verification process the foundation for success. The process cannot be completed within a few short minutes; it is a cumbersome and complex process. The added cost of additional reading equipment makes it less attractive to users. Another potential problem is that there is a very small population of users that are unable to be enrolled. Lastly, the biometric system requires the credit card customer be physically present at the point of sale. This would automatically eliminate online and telephone transactions.