Authentication Mechanisms: Biometric

Implementation Issues
Biometric Implementation Issues
User acceptance is one of the most critical factors in the success of any biometric based
implementation. To minimize the risk of improper use, which can cause failed access, the
device should not cause discomfort or concern and must be easy to use.

Biometric Accuracy
Biometric accuracy is measured by two distinct rates:

■■ False Rejection Rate (FRR), referred to as a type 1 error

■■ False Acceptance Rate (FAR), referred to as a type 2 error

The actual methodologies of the measurement of accuracy may differ in each type of
biometric device, but simply put, you can obtain a good comparative accuracy factor by
looking at the intersection point at which the type 1 error rate equals the type 2 error rate.
This value is commonly referred to as the crossover error rate (CER). The biometric device
accuracy increases as the crossover value becomes smaller.

In reusable password authentication, the access control subject had to remember a perhaps
difficult password. In token-based authentication, the access control subject had to retain
possession of the token device. In biometric, characteristic-based authentication, the actual
access control subject “is” the authentication device.