Biometrics

TECHNOLOGY

S O C I A L

C O N S E Q U E N C E S

BIOMETRIC

INFORMATION DESIGN & MANAGEMENT MBAC 423 December 6, 2005
Julie Fratus

Jason Fitts

Kentaro Ono

Stan Mimoto

PREFACE
The following information is a compiled summary of all the data collected by the Social Security Administration (SSA) concerning the possibility of using biometric technology within the nationalidentification system. The report includes background, history, applications, and several advantages of biometrics. This section was written based upon various research in the area. Lastly, a discussion of the social consequences are included in a report from a fictitious non-profit organization. This section is intended to illustrate the ignored concerns of biometrics and allow the SSA to furtherevaluate a national biometrics system prior to its implemented.

PREFACE

PAGE 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PREFACE 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS 3. SSA LETTER 4. BIOMETRICS: TECHNOLOGICAL SUMMARY 4.1 BIOMETRICS DEFINED 4.2 HISTORY OF BIOMETRICS 4.3 BIOMETRICS PROCESSES AND COMPONENTS 4.4 HOW BIOMETRIC SYSTEMS DETERMINE MATCHES 4.5 LEADING BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGIES 4.6 ADVANTAGES OF BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGY 4.6.1MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PASSWORDS, KEYS, AND CARDS 4.6.2 PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS, AREAS, INFORMATION, PEOPLE, ETC. 4.6.3 GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES 4.7 COSTS AND BENEFITS 5. CRT LETTER 6. CONSEQUENCES OF A NATIONAL BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM 6.1 SOCIAL ISSUES 6.2 TECHNICAL ISSUES 6.3 POLITICAL ISSUES 7. CONCLUSION 8. REFERENCES 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 9 12 12 13 13 14 16 17 17 19 20 22 24

TABLE OF CONTENTSPAGE 3

Office of the Commissioner Windsor Park Building 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235-0001 (800) 772-1213

November 26, 2004 Thomas P. Hughes Chief Information Officer Office of the Chief Information Officer 6401 Security Boulevard Altmeyer Building, Room 500 Baltimore, MD 21235 RE: Request for Information - Biometrics

Dear Mr. Thomas: I hope your Thanksgiving holiday waspleasant and this letter finds you and your staff well. Our office continues to be heavily involved with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Finance, Assessment, and Management’s 2004 project on Disability Program quality. I anticipate 2005 will be another challenging year for the Social Security Administration. As you know, our team has been discussing a National Identification System (NIS) formany years. Unfortunately, the events of 9/11 and increased concerns about data security have elevated the priority of our talks. Your staff provided preliminary research about biometric technology in 1995 and subsequent information in 2000. After review of this material, I feel it is appropriate to revisit this work and obtain current information about biometric systems. I believe that thistechnology will integrate well can be used aggressively within the NIS. I would appreciate your staff’s cooperation in preparing a current report about biometric technology, processes, and applications. Please include any additional background material you feel would be valuable in our assessment. Should you have any questions please contact Deputy Commissioner Lockhart. I look forward to your report.Please have your findings by end of the first quarter of 2006. Sincerely,

Jo Anne B. Barnhart Commissioner, Social Security Administration

TECHNOLOGICAL SUMMARY

BIOMETRIC SYSTEMS
Definition History Components Processes Match Determination Leading Technologies Applications General Advantages

4. BIOMETRICS TECHNOLOGICAL SUMMARY
4.1 BIOMETRICS DEFINED Biometrics is typically definedas "the automated use of physiological or behavioral characteristics to determine or verify identity" (1). Physiological biometrics is a direct measurement taken from a part of the human body, while behavioral biometrics indirectly measures characteristics of the human body through an individual’s actions. verification. 4.2 HISTORY OF BIOMETRICS The principles of biometrics can be traced back to...