Those making use of biometric systems include corporations, government agencies and condos: The Sea Air Towers condominium in Hollywood, Fla., for example, has installed a handprint identification security system for residents seeking entry to the building. At the Florida Supreme Court, fingerprint readers will be used to secure the court's computer network.
Systems that use biometrics consist of a scanning device, software that converts the scanned information into a digital or mathematical form and a database that includes all of the stored biometric data. When a user presses his or her thumb on a biometric mouse, places a hand on an entry-door scanning device or looks at the scanner at an ATM machine, the system compares the physical characteristics to those entered in the database.
The overall U.S. market for user identification devices generated revenues of about $200 million in 1999. According to a December report by Frost & Sullivan, a San Jose, Calif., market consulting firm, revenues will climb to $2.6 billion by 2006. Biometrics is presently only a small part of that market, generating $58.4 million in revenues in 1999, but is projected to reach $594 million in 2003, according to the International Biometric Group.
Lower prices, increased accuracy and new standards are likely to help biometrics gain wider acceptance. BioLink Technologies, a 4-year-old Miramar company, transformed itself in 1999 from a computer reseller to a manufacturer of biometric software and hardware. "We felt that biometrics as an industry was beginning to enter the mainstream," says Chris Mills, director of product marketing for BioLink. The company's U-Match Biometric Mouse sells for less than $150 and has a false rejection rate of only 2.1%.
Iris and retinal scanning devices are even more accurate -- but also more costly. About 60% of biometric systems use fingerprint or hand scans, 15% face scans, 11% iris and retina scans and 14% voice and other characteristics, according to the International Biometric Group.
Who is leading the way in adopting the technology? Mills says it is the U.S. government. Corporations, particularly in healthcare and finance, are also exploring how to use biometrics. As for consumers, Mills expects only modest interest for now except from the hard-core techno-enthusiast.
On the Web: The Learning Curve
Want more details on biometrics? Check out the following sites:
Network World's Biometrics
This comprehensive site from Network World features primers and tutorials on biometrics, information on selected vendors, updates on standards, links to trade associations and forums and newsgroups.
SearchSecurity.com's Biometric Links
This security-specific search engine includes links to recent, non-technical articles on biometrics. On SearchSecurity.com's home page, click on "desktop" and "server security" and then on "biometrics."
Listen and Learn: Conference Alert
Advanced Learning Institute's Winter 2001 Biometrics Summit
Feb. 26-28, Wyndham Miami Beach Resort
1-888-362-7400
This industry forum will feature case studies from organizations that have successfully implemented biometric identification systems. A pre-conference workshop, to be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 25, is designed for those with little or no experience in biometrics. The cost is $1,595 for the conference only, $1,995 for the conference plus pre-conference workshop, or $400 for the workshop only.