Fingerprint Biometrics
Fingerprint biometrics is a dynamic technology that is being adopted into new markets and applications at a rapidly increasing pace. Depending on the applications, users can simply touch or slide their finger over a sensor for access to their PCs, wireless devices, workplaces or homes. The largest markets using fingerprint biometrics today are:
Personal Computers, Laptops, and Peripherals:
There are over 10 million biometric laptop computers and peripherals on the market today. Computer viruses, hacking, identity theft, device theft and fraud have left individuals, companies and government organizations struggling to protect their hardware, software -- and most importantly, their data -- from falling into the wrong hands. Securing computers and computer networks has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry, often involving multiple solutions that may require significant resources to implement. Even passwords, once perceived as a simple security solution, have become cumbersome, vulnerable, expensive, and prone to misuse. Individuals are forced to remember an average of 30 passwords, and companies often spend $25 to $100 annually per employee to resolve password problems. In large organizations, password resets and related help desk calls can add up to millions in annual expenditures as password systems become increasingly complex.
Fingerprint biometrics has emerged as the most popular biometric technology to protect critical computer information as they enable convenient security for desktop and Internet applications. These tiny sensors lock out any unauthorized individual while allowing a convenient way for the registered user to replace passwords for system login or to grant access to secure websites. These same sensors can be used to personalize computers like never before, enabling companies to confidently implement identity access management systems, or allow parents to control the Web sites or other content accessed via the computer by their children.
Today, fingerprint biometrics are embedded directly into more than 200 different laptop computers, PC keyboards, memory keys, computer mice, portable hard drives, password managers and other devices, with new devices appearing on a regular basis.
Wireless Devices & Mobile Phones:
With approximately one billion mobile handsets sold worldwide in 2006, the mobile phone has become one of, if not the most, ubiquitous portable electronic device. Over the past few years, as mobile phones have shrunk in size while making rapid advancements in processing power and communication speed, the phone has evolved as the preferred device to converge other electronic device functionalities such as music, email, and photography. Today's advanced mobile phones can store and access more business and personal information than ever before - including corporate email, pictures, data files, contact lists, and other sensitive information. One of the latest developments in convergence is mobile commerce. Millions of busy professionals and tech savvy consumers are now using their cellular phones as electronic wallets thereby replacing debit and credit cards as the most convenient form of payment. These advances make wireless devices even more valuable -- and more vulnerable to fraud or theft.
To protect the increasing amount of valuable information contained within a mobile phone, device manufactures and corporate buyers are looking to biometrics to provide a solution. Biometric fingerprint sensors have been identified as the most viable biometric technology for securing mobile phones since they are highly secure, convenient to use, inexpensive, and easy to integrate into today’s most compact devices. In addition to unlocking the phone, new fingerprint sensors can also replace mechanical control buttons by delivering a touch pad functionality for full menu navigation -- enabling users to easily navigate menus, scroll through long lists of contacts, and control advanced 3-D games. AuthenTec’s biometric fingerprint sensors also enable users to personalize their wireless devices like never before, using different fingers to play different songs and juke boxes, display favorite photos, quickly launch applications (hot keys) and automatically and securely login into VPNs and frequently used websites, such as those used for mobile banking and shopping or private email sites such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail.
Access Control:
Biometrics in access control systems such as home door locks, time and attendance systems, and office buildings have seen rapid market expansion in recent years as home and business owners struggle to overcome several common problems associated with previous generation solutions. Many businesses and government organizations need to restrict access in parts of their facilities to employees with special clearances, or track employee time and attendance on the job. Also, homeowners have expressed concern about house keys being unknowingly copied for use in a burglary.
Fingerprint biometrics have emerged as a convenient solution to provide secure and traceable physical access control. When embedded into biometric door locks, smart card readers or similar devices, fingerprint sensors lock out intruders and unauthorized individuals and restrict access for special clearance locations. When used with time and attendance devices, the sensors also can authenticate employees to provide accurate records for security and payroll purposes and eliminate “Buddy Punching,” which costs companies an estimated five percent in yearly payroll losses. New advanced biometric security devices can be tied into an organization's computer network to control access throughout an entire building, campus or company.
Fingerprint door locks for homes allow for security control over individual’s access without the need to replace locks when a key is lost or stolen. Employees required to carry an electronic or magnetic ID badge to enter their office will also appreciate the convenience associated with a fingerprint activated lock, which will eliminate the frustration associated with a lost or forgotten ID badge. In addition, large companies can use fingerprint door locks to reduce costs incurred from issuing new or replacement badges to their employees.
