Biometrics in public and private sectors

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Hi,
Below I have explained in details the application and the impact of Biometrics in public and private sectors. Please refer to the MS Word attachment as it is has additional tables and figures. Try to understand the concept and apply it when you form your own answer.

BIOMETRICS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR:
A person's unique traits are measured and analyzed by using Biometrics. There are two types of biometric characteristics: behavioral and physical.
Verification is generally done by using behavioral biometrics whereas physical biometrics can be used for either identification or verification.
The following are the behavioral traits:
- Vocal patterns
- Signature styles
- Keystroke analysis
- Manner in which a person walks (gait)

Following are the physical biometric traits:
- Facial features
- Hand/palm prints
- Fingerprints
- Eyes (iris/retina)

The most widely recognized and applied biometric is fingerprint and this being the case in both public and private sectors.
There are databases where biometric data is stored and can be accessed and if required this data can retrieved for identification of particular person.

Both public and private sectors uses biometrics where the applications are numerous routinely controlling access to everything from computers and computer accounts, banks and financial records to office and residential buildings, sports venues, theme parks and country border crossings. Use of a password, magnetic stripe card/swipe card to gain access adds more security to this technology.

TECHNOLOGY
Both portable and non-portable devices are used to enter biometric data through a process known as enrollment. Biometric data is captured by various devices, to include fingerprint, hand/palm and iris scanners, as well as cameras to capture facial features.
Some biometric devices are versatile, where a single device can combine all features. Data is then uploaded into a main computer database once they have been entered into a biometric device. From there on these data are stored for future identification and/or authentication purposes.

BIOMETRICS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Biometrics has widespread application in public sector where this technology is widely applied in border control, U.S. Visa, government and law enforcement agencies, FBI, US department of defense and in Maritime Interdiction and anti-Piracy Operations.

Border Control:
Several countries have border control system utilizing biometric to identify and track travelers, effectively enhancing the safety and security of its borders.
Personal information is catalogued and stored in Biometric passports by the use of smart card technology. Data entered in biometric passports by the use of biometric can be easily retrieved through computer interface. In Southeast Asia, for instance Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, all utilize biometrics technology for border entry control. The U.S. utilizes a small integrated circuit or "chip" embedded in the passport. The chip contains stored biometric data, to include a photograph and a digitized signature to aid in authentication of the document.

U.S. Visa:
Digital photo and electronic fingerprints are the chosen biometric identifier used for U.S. visa purposes. All fingers of a visa applicant are electronically scanned in a quick, inkless process during the consular officer's interview with the applicant.

Government and law enforcement agencies:
Fingerprinting has been the standard and a widely used method of data collection used by the Government and law enforcement ...