Evaluating Biometrics an Internal Control Solutions to Organizational Risk

In this paper we outline an organizational risk analysis process will help you to determine that biometric solutions will soon become a valid and cost effective tool in your corporation’s arsenal of security solutions designed to reduce and control organizational risk.  Biometrics refers to the automated identification of an individual based on his or her distinguishing characteristics (Bolle, et. al., 2004).  More specifically, biometrics measure physiological or behavioral traits and use those measurements as subsequent points of comparison to determine or verify identity. Discussed below are the most highly developed biometrics that are available on the market today.  Finger-scan or fingerprint biometrics have a long history and are the most well-known of biometrics due to their extensive use in law enforcement.  For example, the United State’s Federal Bureau of Investigation’s created and maintains the national Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) system.  The system currently houses over 400 million fingerprints and searches require approximately 1 hour of processing time.  Due to the delay between the submission of the fingerprint and computerized feedback, IAFIS is not a biometric in the truest sense of the word but is a technology that most individuals recognize.