Biometrics as a science deals with measurements on living beings and the associated measurement and analysis methods. Today, biometrics refers to the field of biometric statistics on the one hand and the field of biometric recognition methods on the other.
In biometric statistics, empirical studies are carried out on living organisms, with a focus on statistical methods. This serves both scientific knowledge and the economic optimisation of products (e.g. animal feed, medicines, etc.).
Biometric recognition methods are used to identify individuals on the basis of unique biological characteristics, for example in automated security checks. These include authentication with fingerprints, identification with facial recognition, but also recognition based on hand vein structure.
In the field of biometric recognition methods, a distinction is also made between internal and external biometrics. External biometrics is everything that takes place on the surface - such as a fingerprint scan - while internal biometrics refers to the identification of people by means of internal structures, in particular the vein structure of the hand, which can be visualised using near-infrared light.
The most important biometric processes are facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, eye recognition (iris scan) and vein recognition.
The process works in such a way that the device scans the relevant features (e.g. the fingerprint or iris) of the person, i.e. scans and measures them. These features are converted into a data record using a complex algorithm. If the identity is now to be verified, this data record must be compared with a reference data record.
One example of this is automated passport control at the border with a biometric passport. A biometric image is stored in the passport (reference data record). As the person passes through border control, a camera takes a picture of their face and converts it into a data record. The device then compares the image of the person in front of the camera with the one on the photo (data record and reference data record).
Biometric access control uses biometric procedures for the identification/verification of persons to ensure that only authorised persons have access to the relevant areas.
The advantages of such access systems are obvious: the high security factor during authentication. Authorised persons also cannot lose keys, which provides additional security.
These are often security areas, for example in airports. However, there are also areas in companies where unauthorised persons should be denied access, particularly on company premises or in laboratory areas. Many companies already use biometric processes to identify unauthorised persons and deny them access. Fingerprints or irises are often scanned for this purpose.
Conventional biometric authentication systems are static methods, i.e. those that utilise unchanging features such as fingerprints. In contrast, dynamic methods use features that change over time but are still unique in their structure (e.g. voice).
All of these methods are very secure, albeit to varying degrees, when it comes to recognising identity. Such features cannot be lost or misplaced like a password, a key or an access card - they must always be carried with you. Because they can be clearly assigned to an identity, they are highly forgery-proof.
This makes this solution attractive for use in very different areas and for very different reasons. For the user, such a procedure is convenient. For the person controlling access, the use of systems that utilise biometrics for access control provides a higher level of security. To further increase security, the use of a security service meaningful.
Security is the main reason for the introduction of biometric procedures. Unique identification procedures (e.g. with fingerprints) should not only make it more difficult for unauthorised persons to access internal areas of companies, but also ensure greater certainty and security at airports, in transport and, last but not least, in law enforcement.
However, security is also the reason why biometrics is repeatedly criticised. Because beyond access control, for example to a company site, technologies such as facial recognition can also be used to monitor specific individuals. Data subjects should always be aware of this before giving their consent to the use of biometric access control.
In many regions, existing traffic surveillance cameras and other surveillance cameras in public spaces can already be used for this purpose. Although this may be useful for catching escaped criminals, there is a risk that this data will be misused or that people will be wrongly targeted.
Of course, the misuse does not necessarily have to be of a governmental nature. In the worst case scenario, hackers could also gain access to such data and misuse it.
Work is, of course, continually being carried out on the development of clearer biometric procedures and more precise measurement techniques for identifying people, which also prevent the false identification of individuals. Work is also being done to improve the security of the data in these procedures and systems.
Nevertheless, critics fear that the use and application of biometric procedures harbours great dangers. In any case, technologies such as facial recognition, iris and fingerprint scanners and other methods are clearly on the rise, meaning that this technological development will be difficult to stop. Another positive aspect is that people in Germany and Europe are extensively protected by very strong data protection laws.
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