Revolution in authentication process by using biometrics

Abstract

Terrorist attacks and natural disasters like Tsunami made us realize the need for rapid and precise personal identification. Biometrics systems and mainly multi-biometric systems provide tools to enforce reliable logs of system transactions and protect an individual's right to privacy. Passwords and user ids are often passed, written down for convenience or reused multiple times in different networks. Biometric logins would make it unfeasible for anyone, other than the intended person to login to the network or system but at the same time no need to remember passwords and user ids. Governments, law enforcement agencies, military and industrial companies are already making partial use of this technology. Researchers and practitioners are integrating identifying technologies into robotics, human computer interfaces, gaming systems, mobile devices, door locks, automobiles, and so on. Government of India is introducing biometric based authentication system for all Indian citizens. This paper describes different types of biometric practices, recent trend of using biometrics, biometric fusion and its uses in India.