DISCERNING THE TIMES ONLINE
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What are biometrics?
"Biometric" come from the Greek words "bio" (life) and "metric" (to measure). Biometrics are technologies used for measuring and analyzing a person's unique characteristics. There are two types of biometrics: behavioral and physical. Behavioral biometrics are generally used for verification while physical biometrics can be used for either identification or verification.
What are biometric systems used for?
Biometrics are used for identification and verification:
Identification is determining who a person is. It involves trying to find a match for a person's biometric data in a database containing records of people and that characteristic. This method requires time and a large amount of processing power, especially if the database is very large.
Verification is determining if a person is who they say they are. It involves comparing a user's biometric data to the previously recorded data for that person to ensure that this is the same person. This method requires less processing power and time, and is used for access control (to buildings or data).
What are the main types of biometric systems?
The main physical biometric technologies include:
There are also a number of behavioural biometric technologies such as voice recognition (analyzing a speaker's vocal behavior), keystroke (measuring the time spacing of typed words), gait recognition (manner of walking), or signature (analyzing the way you sign).
Other biometric techniques, still in exploratory stages would include DNA biometrics, ear shape, fingernails or odor.
What are biometric systems used for?
Reliable user authentication is essential. The consequences of insecure authentication in a banking or corporate environment can be catastrophic, with loss of confidential information, money, and compromised data integrity. Many applications in everyday life also require user authentication, including physical access control to offices or buildings, e-commerce, healthcare, immigration and border control, etc.
Currently, the prevailing techniques of user authentication are linked to passwords, user IDs, identification cards and PINs (personal identification numbers). These techniques suffer from several limitations: Passwords and PINs can be guessed, stolen or illicitly acquired by covert observation.
In addition, there is no way to positively link the usage of the system or service to the actual user. A password can be shared, and there is no way for the system to know who the actual user is. A credit card transaction can only validate the credit card number and the PIN, not if the transaction is conducted by the rightful owner of the credit card.
This is where biometrics systems provide a more accurate and reliable user authentication method, as can be summarised in the table underneath:
Existing user authentication techniques include:
Something you know, e.g. password or PIN. The issue is that many password are easy to guess, and can also be easily forgotten.
Something you have, e.g. key or car. They can be lost, stolen or duplicated.
Something you know and have, e.g. card + PIN.
Something you are, e.g. fingerprint, hand, iris, retina, voice. You cannot lose them, are unique for each individual and are difficult to forge.
Why are biometrics secure?
Unique: The various biometrics systems have been developed around unique characteristics of individuals. The probability of 2 people sharing the same biometric data is virtually nil.
Cannot be shared: Because a biometric property is an intrinsic property of an individual, it is extremely difficult to duplicate or share (you cannot give a copy of your face or your hand to someone!)
Cannot be copied: Biometric characteristics are nearly impossible to forge or spoof, especially with new technologies ensuring that the biometric being identified is from a live person.
Cannot be lost: A biometric property of an individual can be lost only in case of serious accident.
Fast Facts
Biometrics. Biometrics is a general term used alternatively to describe a characteristic or a process.
As a characteristic: A measurable biological (anatomical and physiological) and behavioral characteristic that can be used for automated recognition.
As a process: Automated methods of recognizing an individual based on measurable biological (anatomical and physiological) and behavioral characteristics. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) performs research in measurement, evaluation and standards for fingerprint matching and interchange, criminal justice information systems, face recognition and multi-modal biometrics.
Biometric modalities. A biometric modality is a type or class of biometric system. There are dozens of biometric modalities; just about any measurable biological or behavioral characteristic can be a biometric modality. Some of these include: [Biometrics Glossary]
Face
Fingerprint
Gait
Hand Geometry
Iris
Keystroke Dynamics
Signature
Vascular
Biometric Programs in the U.S. government. Examples of biometric deployments within the United States Government include the FBI’s IAFIS, the US-VISIT program, the Transportation Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC) program, and the Registered Traveler (RT) program. These deployments are intended to strengthen the security and convenience in their respective environments. Find more information at Federal Programs.
Accuracy. Most biometric systems have a high accuracy (over 95 percent and many approach 100 percent) when matching biometrics against a large database of biometrics and when matching a biometric against the originally enrolled biometric.
Which Biometric Type to Use. One biometric modality is not the best for all implementations. Many factors must be taken into account when implementing a biometric device including location, security risks, task (identification or verification), expected number of users, user circumstances, existing data, etc.
Standards Development Organizations. Over 75 standards are under development by national and international standards development organizations. The primary national standards body responsible for developing biometric standards in the International Committee on Information Technology Standards (INCITS) M1. INCITS M1 serves as the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the international organization ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 on biometrics.
Department of Defense. DOD has issued over 100,000 biometrically-enhanced badges issued in Iraq through September 2006 to control access to secure facilities.
US-VISIT. The Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT system has processed millions of visitors applying for admission at U.S. ports of entry. [Federal Programs]
U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). U.S. CBP and Canada’s CBSA jointly administer the NEXUS Air program. 6,560 individuals submitted biometrics to enroll in the NEXUS Air program at one enrollment center in Vancouver, British Columbia.
BREAKING NEWS
New Video Below / Buying and Selling in a RFID Chip for the FIRST TIME EVER - Positive ID
COULD THE FINGERPRINT- UIN/ UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, BE A SYSTEM -THE MARK OF THE BEAST?
And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Revelation 13:16-18
Systematically Speaking...
by Christine M. Hobson
Finally, after a year of headlines we are beginning to see the clear picture at hand when it comes to Nandan Nilekani's vision for issuing every Indian a UIN, Unique Identification Number. At first glance it would have been thought is was nothing much, possibly a variation on the US's Social Security Number. At closer inspection however, you can see many layers that one would not have imagined. Nandan Nilekani co-founded Infosys, one of India's leading information technology companies, back in 1981. After serving as its president and then CEO, he's now joined the Indian government to help lead a massive new IT project: providing every Indian with a unique identity card. to concentrate on his next great endeavor: re-imagining India in the new millennium.
In recent weeks it has been revealed that Mr. Nilekani seeks to monetized the UIN as well as have it directly linked to ones biometrics, which would include all 10 fingerprints. Last week through the National Population Register (NPR) it was announced that the 2011 Census requirements of biometric fingerprints was to help target each person for various programs and schemes and link them directly to a system that would offer “real time population data”. This project also aims to give 1.2 billion citizens biometric identity cards that will have the ability to help millions of poor gain access to many services they otherwise would not be able to. Think about it, “To obtain the pension, the beneficiary has to implant his finger impression on a device with a business correspondent engaged by the bank and only if the impression matches with the one to whom a bio-metric card has been issued, then only the amount is released,” said SBI bank official.
Identification has always been a huge problem for India with many persons never identified from birth. Whole households with no means to identify themselves. This effects them on every level from the simple things like the purchase of a cell phone to the more useful and important services as opening a bank account, seeking employment . In most cases an address cannot be verified either because the poor live in slums or on the streets and have nothing to provide to prove who or where they are from. "This project is pro-poor and inclusive targeted mainly towards the poor. The middle class and the rich have some form of identity. People on the margins are getting lost because of lack of identity," Mr Nilekani said.
Mr. Nilekani's intention is to provide access to all persons state benefits that before only had available to those with means. Money. The whole idea is to include everyone into the System. Meaning everyone. This does not verify ones citizenship, but residency. This number will be issued from cradle to grave with no possibly of duplication. Hence for added measure the inclusion of biometrics. It has been said that India's efforts at giving every citizen an identity number is possibly one of the greatest challenges facing the government. What could this mean? Universal Financial Inclusion in India. Bank access, health insurance for all.
Nilekani is not alone in this venture, in fact he has some pretty impressive partners that seek their piece of the pie. IBM for one, and none other then Bill Gates of Microsoft. In August IBM began dialogue with partners in India to position itself in the project and shortly before Mr. Gates met with Nandan Nilekani to ensure his part in this monumental scheme. "The World Bank has offered to assist the government in re-structuring the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Delhi government is set to soon initiate a pilot project to launch its ‘cash for food’ program in the Capital. This is seen as the first step in overhauling the system." It would seem absolutely nothing should go wrong, with a Dream Team such as this put together .
In India in another three to four years, you will be known not by name, but by a unique identity (UID) number. Will this set a precedent for the rest of the world in the near future? Or have we already seen similar projects in other countries that could strip our identity and we become nothing more then a bit of information assimilated into a system. I know I have my opinion. Hopefully as this information begins to sink in, you will begin to see a bigger picture.
"Contrary to its name, the much-touted Unique Identification (UID) project is less about identifying all Indians and tracking illegal immigrants, and more about serving as a common link for various e-governance services and monitoring the implementation of different welfare schemes."
Microchip Implant Controversy: a Mark of the Beast or the Coming "Singularity"? By Jim Edwards
The news that Novartis wants a deal with Proteus Biomedical to produce a microchip implant called “Raisin” that will text your mobile phone when it’s time to take another pill, and VeriChip’s efforts to link microchip implants to online health records, has caused two separate controversies that seem bound to collide: some Christians believe the devices are eerily similar to the “mark of the beast” as described in the book of Revelation; while “singularity” buffs — those who look forward to the merger of humans and intelligent technology — regard it as a bold step forward in improving health.
The Christians make the obvious argument. On the subject of “the beast,” Revelation 13:16-18 states:
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
The suggestion is that if the government starts requiring chip implants, then this will be a sign that the antichrist is in charge and we’re at the end of days. (Of course, the beast in question will have “two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon,” which should be easy to spot in a presidential candidate.)
On the other hand, the singularity buffs see nothing but good news. There’s an obvious advantage on the club scene, as VeriChip could replace both photo ID and cash:
Beautiful club-goers have a problem: If you’re going to wear a halter top and micro-skirt, there’s not much of anywhere to put a wallet. And who wants to carry a purse when you’re there to dance? Luckily, a company called VeriChip this year unveiled a solution based on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology.
More importantly, the chip that increases your compliance with your prescription — so you don’t stop taking them before the full course of pills is up — will only improve public health, the singularitarians believe:
Raisin, or any system that helps us discipline our health habits is bound to help us live longer and happier. That’s the promise of Body 2.0 and I hope that the partnership between Proteus and Novartis means that promise is gaining ground in the global marketplace.
And finally: Proteus CEO Andrew Thompson believes his company’s market opportunity could be $100 billion. This is delusional. The serious debate here is over privacy and tracking concerns, and whether anyone might be required to have an implant. The vast majority of patients and consumers simply won’t want one. -source
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No number choice in UID: Nilekani
Chairman of the Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI), Nanndan Nilekani, on Friday made it clear that there is no chance for getting the number of his/her choice in UID, the Computer would throw up a random 16-digit number and there is no way you can change it.
National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD)-59 / Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) – 24, “Biometrics for Identification and Screening to Enhance National Security,” was signed by President Bush on June 5, 2008. This directive establishes a framework to ensure Federal departments and agencies use compatible methods and procedures in the collection, storage, use, analysis, and sharing of biometric and associated biographic and contextual information of individuals in a lawful and appropriate manner, while respecting privacy and other legal rights under United States law. This directive builds upon existing coordination efforts and helps to ensure that high-level plans are implemented throughout government. This directive does not impose requirements on State, local, or tribal authorities, or on the private sector. It also does not provide new Federal authority for collection, retention, or dissemination of information, or for identification and screening activities.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 specifies a policy for a common identification standard for federal employees and contractors. The standard calls for interoperable fingerprint minutia to be used for interagency biometric verification; agencies may also use other biometrics for own-employee verification. Technical information may be found at http://piv.nist.gov.
