Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on physiological or behavioral characteristics. Features measured include facial recognition, fingerprint identification, hand geometry, signature verification, iris recognition, retinal scanning, and voice verification. In the past, biometrics were only used in high security applications. Now the use of biometrics is gaining acceptance in mainstream consumer applications worldwide.

As systems have been automated, security measures have been put into place, usually in the form of a PIN (Personal Identification Number) or swipe card (plastic card with a bar code or magnetic information strip). The PIN is the least secure of three levels of security; it is something that you know. The PIN can be forgotten or stolen . The second tier of security is something that you have, like a plastic swipe card. The card can be stolen and used by someone else. Systems using PINs or cards do not recognize the person using them. The third and ultimate tier is to use something that you are – biometrics.

Utilizing biometrics for personal identification is becoming convenient and considerably more accurate than current methods like PINs or cards. This is because biometrics link the event to a particular individual (a PIN or card may be used by someone other than the authorized user), is convenient (nothing to carry or remember), accurate (it provides positive identification), can provide an audit trail, is becoming socially acceptable, and can be cost-effective. Unlike a PIN or card, it cannot be forgotten, misplaced, lost, or stolen. Biometrics ensure that a person is actually the sanctioned user, and not in possession of a stolen card or someone who found, hacked or cracked a PIN.

There are very few technologies that undergo an overnight change, but that is what happened to biometrics after September 11, 2001. Federal legislation has catapulted public interest in biometric solutions: The Patriot Act, The Enhanced Border & Visa Entry Reform Act, and The Aviation & Transportation Security Act, all mandate some kind of biometrics identifier to enhance public safety. For example, the Visa Entry Reform Act not only requires biometric identifiers on every visa by 2004, but also on the passports of other countries from which the U.S doesn't require a visa, creating the need to identify several hundred million visitors a year. When you add other legislative mandates such as biometric access control for all airport employees along with vastly heightened security concern in the private sector, biometrics is ready for everyday use.

Finger scanning biometric technology is quickly becoming an accepted method of identification in the consumer marketplace. Specifically, it is proving to be a better, faster and more cost effective solution replacing current methods of identification such as swipe cards and PINs. Fingerprint biometrics can provide an ideal identification solution to schools, businesses, hospitality, retail POS, restaurants, hospitals, even cruise ships!