Biometrics: Identity Assurance in the Information Age

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0072222271 ISBN 13: 9780072222272

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media, 2002

Discover how to make biometrics -- the technology involving scanning and analyzing unique body characteristics and matching them against information stored in a database -- a part of your overall security plan with this hands-on guide. Includes deployment scenarios, cost analysis, privacy issues, and much more.

From the Back Cover:

Real-World Issues and Applications from the Biometrics Front Lines

Beyond passwords and PINS, beyond ID cards, keys, and tokens, stands biometrics--the science of recognizing people by physical characteristics or personal traits. Learn about the technical properties and applications of fingerprints, hand geometry, facial and voice recognition, iris and retinal scans, signature and keystroke dynamics, and futuristic biometrics such as vein patterns. Follow sample scenarios and real-world case studies to understand ensuring biometric liveness, deploying biometrics in large-scale systems, developing technical standards, and testing and evaluating biometric technologies. Make financial and business dealings safer and more reliable, improve safety, and balance your needs for speed, convenience, and accuracy with help from this thorough resource.

• Select the right authentication methods for your unique operating environment and security needs
• Learn biometric technologies through case studies detailing FBI programs, Super Bowl surveillance, and more
• Learn about the role for biometrics in a national identity program
• Explore esoteric biometrics such as vein patterns, facial thermography, DNA, body odor, and hand grip recognition
• Increase confidence in biometric security with liveness testing
• Guard against multiple identity fraud and identify theft
• Test and evaluate biometric systems for metrics such as performance, vulnerability, and compliance with emerging standards
• Assess your needs and find the right balance between security, convenience, and cost-benefit concerns
• Overcome the challenges faced when integrating biometrics into an overall security plan

About the Author:

John Woodward is a senior policy analyst at RAND where he works on national security, intelligence, and technology policy issues. He is particularly interested in biometrics and surveillance technologies. He has testified about these technologies before Congress and the congressionally created Commission on Online Child Protection. Prior to joining RAND full-time in 2000, Mr. Woodward served as an Operations Officer for the Central Intelligence Agency for twelve years. His overseas assignments included tours in East Asia and East Africa. Mr. Woodward received his Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. He was a Thouron Scholar at the London School of Economics, University of London, where he received his M.S. in Economics. He received his B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He served as a law clerk to the Hon. Roderick R. McKelvie, a U.S. District Court Judge in Wilmington, Delaware.