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The
growing digitization is generating more and more
need for cybersecurity. Compromising with
cybersecurity may result in the release of
confidential information which may be a threat
to an individual or nation. The threat may be to
an individual, group of individuals, an
organization, or an authority.
Computers
play an important role in our daily lives and
its usage has grown manifolds today. With ever
increasing demand of security regulations all
over the world and large number of services
provided using the internet in day to day life,
the assurance of security associated with such
services has become a crucial issue. Biometrics
is a key to the future of data/cyber security.
The term cybersecurity refers to the security of
computer systems, their hardware, or electronic
data. And, a threat to the security of this is
referred to as a cybersecurity threat. Many
hackers and miscreants misuse the technology to
do crimes and the crime which is related to
these cyber systems is known as cybercrime.
There has been a considerable growth in the
cyber-crimes in the world and this needs to be
stopped to protect the privacy of an individual.
In the terms of computer security, biometrics
refers to authentication techniques that rely on
measurable physiological and individual
characteristics that can be automatically
verified. A biometric system is a system for the
automated recognition of individuals based on
their behavioral and biological characteristics.
A biometric system is called either a
verification system or an identification system
depending on the application where it is used.
Cyber security is a major issue in today�s
digital world with cyber-crime is increasing day
by day. The losses and distress caused by
cyber-attacks are prompting the pioneers in the
field of information security to look for
reliable and robust security measures. The
growing use of online banking, e-commerce has
led to the use of biometric technology to secure
these transactions. Biometrics provides a strong
defense against cyber security attacks.
Biometrics is considered as a safeguard against
cyber-crime. Now a day, banks encourage the use
of fingerprint to authenticate transactions.
Applications are available in the markets which
are used to unlock computer or phones using
facial recognition, fingerprint recognition or
iris recognition.
Physical
Biometrics
� Fingerprint � Analyzing fingertip patterns
� Facial recognition/face location � Measuring
facial characteristics
� Hand geometry � Measuring the shape of the
hand
� Iris scan � Analyzing features of colored ring
of the eye
� Retinal scan � Analyzing blood vessels in the
eye
� DNA � Analyzing genetic makeup
� Ear print � This method is based on geometric
distances, force field transformation
Behavioral Biometrics
�
Speaker /voice recognition � Analyzing vocal
behavior
� Signature/handwriting � Analyzing signature
dynamics
� Keystroke/patterning � Measuring the time
spacing of typed words
Biometrics is a rapidly evolving technology that
is being used in forensics, such as criminal
identification and prison security, and that has
the potential to be used in large range of
civilian application areas. Biometrics can be
used to prevent unauthorized access to ATMs,
cellular phones, smart cards, desktop PCs,
workstations and computer networks. It can be
used during transactions conducted by telephone
and internet (electronic commerce and electronic
banking).
A large majority of data breaches result from
weak authentication protocols � cybercriminals
can obtain the credentials of users and gain
access to an organizations� most valuable assets
within their IT infrastructure. In fact, some
reports suggest that four fifths of hacking
related breaches involved the leveraging of
either compromised or weak passwords. Like any
security solution, biometric technology offers
no guarantees when defending against a data
breach, they are inevitably fallible � however,
the goal here is to reduce the possible risk.
Biometrics measure similarity, not identity. So,
a match represents a probability of correct
recognition. Likewise, a non-match represents a
probability, rather than a definitive
conclusion.
The first and foremost thing is to be strict on
cybersecurity laws and give proper punishment to
those who violate the law. It is not impossible
to deal with cybersecurity threats of biometric
systems. These are created by man and therefore
can be prevented by man. Advanced technology
must be used to protect a confidential
information. Also, it is important to make
individuals aware of such threats and suggest
them precautions while using any confidential or
personal information. This way cybersecurity
threats can be reduced to a lot extent and the
purpose of technology advancements in all fields
will be fulfilled.
By:
Pabasara Ranasinghe
Pabasara is an undergraduate of the Sri
Lanka Institute of information technology who is
currently following Bachelor of Information
Technology specializing in Cyber Security,
currently, she is working as an Intern -
Information Security Engineer at Sri Lanka
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