| I don't know about you, but I hate passwords. I hate | | | | just two fingers. |
| changing them, because I never can think of what I | | | | - Currently used in over 46% of the world's |
| want to use! Isn't there a better way? | | | | attendance and access control systems. |
| Actually there is. It's called biometrics. | | | | Fingerprint recognition |
| Biometrics is a method of authentication that uses | | | | - Used for matching and verification. Identification made |
| something you are to allow access to the computer | | | | based on one of two methods. The first uses the |
| network. | | | | ridges of your finger as reference points and the |
| You've seen the movies. The hero runs up to the door, | | | | second uses pattern matching of the whole print. |
| a light shines into his eye, and it opens. Or the TV | | | | Face recognition |
| commercial where the man runs his finger across a | | | | - Passive recognition method, doesn't need the |
| sensor on his laptop and it lets him onto the computer. | | | | person's active participation. |
| Cool huh? | | | | - Used by the FAA in airports, to recognize known |
| Instead of a productivity inhibitor, like old-fashioned | | | | terrorists. |
| passwords, biometrics should increase productivity. | | | | Signature recognition |
| Biometrics eliminates or helps manage the weakest | | | | - Analysis of a person's written signature to grant |
| point in your security program. The end user. No more | | | | access. |
| sticky notes with passwords stuck under keyboards. | | | | Voice recognition |
| And fewer calls to the help desk for password resets, | | | | - Uses unique characteristics of the speaker's voice to |
| or lockouts. | | | | determine identity. |
| How many hours of productivity do your employees | | | | Odor recognition |
| loose while waiting for assistance from the help desk? | | | | - Sorry, but this one's a winner! |
| What types of biometrics are there? | | | | - Uses how someone smells to grant access. |
| Several, here's a short list: | | | | Biometrics may seem expensive to implement, but |
| Iris recognition | | | | over time you'll make up the costs in increased |
| - Uses a camera to capture the image of the iris. | | | | productivity and reduced IT support expenses. |
| - Recognized as the most accurate method of | | | | To find more information about biometrics, go to your |
| biometrics, used worldwide. | | | | browser and do a search on "computer + security + |
| Hand geometry recognition | | | | biometrics". You'll find lots of information available. |
| - The full hand geometry method uses the pattern of | | | | Armed with this knowledge, you should then call your |
| the whole hand to grant access. Another method uses | | | | IT person or provider and discuss it with them. |