Future Evolution of Biometrics

Future Evolution
The use of biometrics to aid identity management is not a new concept, but rather an existing practice that has slowly been developing ever since people have had a need to protect themselves and their belongings. In earlier times, cavemen tagged their pictures on cave walls with their handprints. Fast forward a few hundred years or so, and today we use passwords, pins, and security questions as consumers to access our financial information online. With so many transactions taking place over the internet, there is an increased need to protect one’s identity as well as verify one’s information for authenticity. One way to protect ourselves is to continue to explore the benefits of biometrics. Biometrics provides layers of protection from threats of privacy & security. “The National Science and Technology Council’s subcommittee on Biometrics and Identity Management describes biometrics as a characteristic defined as a measurable Biological (anatomical and physiological) or behavioral characteristic that can be used for automated recognition.” www.docs.house.gov/meetings/SY/SY14/20130521/100890/HHRG-113-SY14-Wstate-MearsJ-20130521.pdf  
Biometrics continue to evolve today. In the military, for example, officers in the army use an encrypted email service to communicate. Each branch is separated by a different website, and can be accessed from home or an office. In the past all a soldier needed was a password and to answer some security questions to gain access to their account. Now, however, the Department of Defense has linked personnel security badges (common access cards) as verification tools to our email system in order to increase security. The CAC, is a smart card about the size of a regular bank card or driver’s license. It has a microchip embedded in it, which contains personal data about the individual soldier, or authorized user. The microchip or “Integrated circuit chip (ICC) contains information about the owner, including the PIN and one...