Biometric Information

• Glossary of Common Biometric Terms

• Biometrics 101 - A Primer

• Biometric Frequently Asked Questions

• HIPAA / JCAHO Compliance

BioCert® and iQBio™ "The Power of You™"

Biometric Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

• What is the difference between verification and identification?
• Can my fingerprint be stolen from the database?
• Is it possible to cheat the system with a 3D finger replica?
• How many people can be enrolled to an authentication database?
• How long time does an identification of a fingerprint take?
• I have dry fingers, can I still use the system?
• I have cut my finger, can I still use the system?
• Does the system store an image of my fingerprint?
• Can my template be used by the police?
• Does SAFLINK replace the normal Windows logon system?
• What are the advantages of identification?
• What happens if I cut my finger?

What is the difference between verification and identification?

The key difference between these two modes of authentication is whether the match/non-match decision is based on a one-to-one comparison or on an association based on a one-to-many search in a database.

Verification – The system verifies the claimed identity of the user by comparing his/her biometric sample with one specific reference template, which is either physically presented by the user or pointed to in the database. Verification can be knowledge-based (e.g. PIN or password) or token-based (e.g. smart card). The user says, "I am X!" and the system reply with "yes, your are X!" or "no, you are not X!"

Identification – The system identifies the end user from his/her biometric sample by associating it with his/her particular reference template based on a database search among the reference templates of the entire enrolled population. The user asks, "who am I?" and the system reply with "you are X!" or "your are not an authorized user".

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Can my fingerprint be stolen from the database?

No, only templates are stored in the system. When a finger is scanned, the characteristic points, or minutiae on the image are extracted and turned into a template. Only a digital representation of the specific points is stored, not the image which is discarded after feature extraction. Since the template only holds information about points located on your fingerprint, the original image cannot be restored by any means.

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Is it possible to cheat the system with a 3D finger replica?

See our information on Spoofing

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How many people can be enrolled to an authentication database?

The SAFLINK system supports an unlimited number of registered fingers in the database for identification (one-to-many search), but this number can be exceeded for verification (one-to-one matching) based on a user-ID pointing to a specific user's template.

Most of our Biometric Access Products list the available memory size for fingerprints.

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How long time does an identification of a fingerprint take?

The speed of identification is dependent on two factors; the speed/processing power of the PC performing the identification and the number of fingerprint templates in the database. Usually, the identification speed ranges between 200 and 500 templates per second.

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I have dry fingers, can I still use the system?

Most often a dry finger is not a problem, but if the finger is too dry, the image quality will not be sufficient for creating a high quality template. This may result in a so-called false reject, which means that you have to present the finger on the scanner one more time. If you experience a false reject and you think it is because of a dry finger, breathe on your finger and try again.

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I have cut my finger, can I still use the system?

Due to the large scanning surface of our scanner, authentication is based on a high number of characteristic points. In addition to providing high reliability it also makes our system less sensitive to cuts and minor injuries of the finger. However, it is recommended to enroll minimum the thumbs of both hands in case the finger normally used for authentication is unavailable, e.g. due to a band-aid or cast.

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Does the system store an image of my fingerprint?

No, only a digital representation of the specific points of the fingerprint is stored, not the image, which is discarded after the feature extraction. Since the template only holds information about points located on your fingerprint, the original image cannot be restored by any means. The automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) used by the Police store the entire fingerprint images while our (and competing) systems only store information about specific points.

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Can my template be used by the police?

No, the automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) used by the Police store the entire fingerprint images while our (and competing) systems only store information about specific points.

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Does SAFLINK replace the normal Windows logon system?

A user must log on to a Windows NT or Windows 2000 system by supplying a user name and password. SAFLINK products replace the existing login GINA of Windows XP and Windows 2000. User accounts and rights must be built in the "normal" Windows way before you can manage SAFLINK protection. Therefore, SAFLINK will let you restrict logon and access rights already permitted by the network settings, but cannot override these settings to allow more extensive rights.

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What are the advantages of identification?

The biggest advantages of identification based on a central database (and distributed databases) is that you do not need to remember a PIN code, which can be forgotten or compromised, or carry a smart card, which can be lost, stolen, or forgotten at home.

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What happens if I cut my finger?

Usual cuts on the finger (except for major injuries) are tolerated by the system. If it's necessary to apply a bandage, use your secondary finger.

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