Biometrics is the science of measuring the behavioural and/or physiological characteristics of an individual. Therefore, a system utilising biometrics is a biometrics system.

Password and pin numbers are the current preferred mode of identification for various applications like ATM, cellular phones, Internet access etc. The proliferation of password access systems has resulted in a general tendency for people to use the same passwords / pin numbers for different applications, and to use simple passwords so they can be recalled easily. This results in the following:

• People to forget their passwords / pin numbers
• Passwords can be easily guessed
• Passwords can be circulated

Biometrics resolves the problem by dispensing with the need for passwords / pins because the individual's physical feature is being used instead.

Most buildings require the use of access/security cards and or keys to limit access and heighten security. However, there are several disadvantages.

High maintenance cost
For access control to buildings, access cards are typically being used. Initial cost of card system is not expensive, but depending on the number of users, card cost is getting more expensive. This is aggravated by the high replacement cost for cards that are lost.

Inconvenient
Since users have to carry the card every time, it will be very inconvenient should they lose the card or if they forget to bring it on a particular day.

Low security
When some employee leaves an organisation, they may forget to return the cards too. In addition, since access cards can be passed around from one person to another, it means that there will be unauthorised access to a building.

 

Biometrics solves the problem by dispensing with access cards because the individual's physical feature is being used instead. Biometrics also prevents unauthorised access because the physical trait will not be present in 2 individuals and cannot be duplicated.

• Uniqueness - The same trait will not appear in two people
• Universality - The trait has to occur in many people as possible
• Permanence - The trait does not change over time
• Measurability - The trait can be measured with simple technical instruments
• User friendliness - The trait is easily measured with minimal discomfort

1. Vein pattern
2. Fingerprint
3. Voice (tone)
4. Retina
5. Iris pattern
6. Signature
7. Facial structure
8. Hand geometry
9. Finger geometry
10. Ear form
11. Palm

VP-II uses the vascular pattern at the back of the hand. Vascular pattern includes both veins and capillaries. Biometrics systems in the market currently use one of the above features. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages.

VP-II has been developed to minimise the disadvantages of commercially available biometrics systems and to provide users the most effective tool as a biometrics system by providing incomparable USABILITY, RELIABILITY, ACCURACY, and USER CONVENIENCE.

• A scanning device and software is needed as part of the authentication system. The scanner scans the biometrics feature and converts it into digital form. The data is then stored in a database for subsequent retrieval and comparison.
• When access is needed, the user's biometrics trait is scanned again, and the software then compares the new biometrics data with the the previously stored data. If there is a match, access is granted.