Biometrics and Network Security
Biometrics and Network Security
Abstract
Biometrics are a growing technology that will most likely be seen applied to network security in the near future. Three options are discussed in this paper; keystroke dynamics, fingerprinting, and iris scanning. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses but none of them are a standalone solution to access a network. Should any of these solutions be applied they would need to be combined with password or token security measures that are currently in place.
Keywords: biometrics, keystroke dynamics, fingerprint, iris scan
Biometrics and Information Technology
This paper will discuss current and future biometrics capabilities and how those capabilities may be applied to information technology (IT) security, most importantly how the U.S. military can incorporate biometrics into its network security framework. Almost all major corporations as well as the U.S. government are looking to, or have already incorporated biometrics into their layered IT security.
Biometrics, coupled with passwords and tokens can significantly increase network security, however, biometrics alone at their current capabilities are more susceptible to security breaches than passwords alone.
Background
CNN recently reported that there are over 60,000 cyber-attacks occurring every day on military networks and effective security measures are continually being sought to protect information from those that could use it to do the nation harm. In the past 8 years the military has incrementally increased user level security measures to protect this vital information. In 2003 a military computer user could simply log on to the network using a relatively short password associated with their user name. As security concerns began to increase those password length and symbol requirements became more stringent. Now the military exclusively utilizes a token system to access military networks in the form of a common access card (CAC) with smart chip
Abstract
Biometrics are a growing technology that will most likely be seen applied to network security in the near future. Three options are discussed in this paper; keystroke dynamics, fingerprinting, and iris scanning. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses but none of them are a standalone solution to access a network. Should any of these solutions be applied they would need to be combined with password or token security measures that are currently in place.
Keywords: biometrics, keystroke dynamics, fingerprint, iris scan
Biometrics and Information Technology
This paper will discuss current and future biometrics capabilities and how those capabilities may be applied to information technology (IT) security, most importantly how the U.S. military can incorporate biometrics into its network security framework. Almost all major corporations as well as the U.S. government are looking to, or have already incorporated biometrics into their layered IT security.
Biometrics, coupled with passwords and tokens can significantly increase network security, however, biometrics alone at their current capabilities are more susceptible to security breaches than passwords alone.
Background
CNN recently reported that there are over 60,000 cyber-attacks occurring every day on military networks and effective security measures are continually being sought to protect information from those that could use it to do the nation harm. In the past 8 years the military has incrementally increased user level security measures to protect this vital information. In 2003 a military computer user could simply log on to the network using a relatively short password associated with their user name. As security concerns began to increase those password length and symbol requirements became more stringent. Now the military exclusively utilizes a token system to access military networks in the form of a common access card (CAC) with smart chip
References: Douhou, S., & Magnus, J. R. (2010). The reliability of user authentication through keystroke dynamics. Statistica Neerlandica, Nov2009, Vol. 63 Issue 4. Retrieved from EBSCOHOST 365 Computer Security Training. (2010). What is Biometric Fingerprint Scanning. Retrieved from http://www.computer-network-security-training.com/what-is-biometric-fingerprint-scanning/ Daily Mail. (2011). Log-in to Facebook with an iris scan: Eye-scanner for your PC set to go on the market in months. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1385959/Under-look-key-PC-iris-scanner-security-device-set-market-months.html