Identity management refers to the use of policies and technologies to authenticate the identity of people and ensure security stated by Bahaa Abdul Hadi. The need for security is high in a world full of risks. Identity management allows organizations to ensure only the right people have access to resources. One of the key techniques of identity management is biometrics, and we discuss its role.
Biometrics and identity management
Biometrics is the use of physical and behavioural traits to identify a person. It is thus a key factor in identity management. Traditionally, access through cards, logins, and passwords is used in identity management. All these have risks since a third party can easily misuse them. This is where biometrics has proved to be helpful.
Biometrics is unique to each individual. It is a proven fact that a person’s fingerprints are unique, and even twins have different fingerprints. So, fingerprints can be used for identity management to authenticate individuals. Similarly, there are other biometric traits that can be used. Here is an overview of how biometrics is used in identity management.
Fingerprint
A fingerprint scanner can be used to record a person’s fingerprint. A pattern is then identified from the fingerprint and saved on to a database. Whenever a person has to be authenticated, they would scan their fingerprint by placing them on a scanner. The fingerprint is scanned, and the pattern compared with the database. With mobile phones having sensors to scan fingerprint, this is a biometric trait that has become commonly used.
Facial scan
A photograph is taken of a person using a camera. The photo is then used to form a facial pattern, which can be used for recognition. This is easy to use since it can be done quickly and does not involve any physical contact with a device.
Iris scan
The iris of each individual has a unique pattern. An eye scanner can be used to scan the iris and form a pattern. It can be used to uniquely identify individuals.
Voice recognition
Advances in technology have ensured the voice patterns of individuals can be uniquely identified. It is easy to capture and is a simple way to ensure effective identity management.
Behavioral traits
The gait or the way in which a person walks is a trait that can be used to identify them. The way people type on the keyboard, gestures used, and posture are ways in which a person’s identity can be established.
The article has been written by Bahaa Abdul Hadi and has been published by the editorial board of www.identityherald.com
