August 19, 2011 By Johnell Johnson
With just the wave of a finger or the bat of an eye, businesses have used biometrics to protect the security of their offices. Biometrics consists of using unique human traits, like fingerprints, vascular technology or retinas, to identify someone. Of course it’s important to make sure no one breaks into a building but people are realizing that protecting their data is just as important and it can be protected in the same way.
Mizan Rahman, Founder and CEO of M2SYS Technology, started his biometrics company eight years ago. Back then, he focused on offering ways to protect businesses in the wake of September 11th. Now, that is slowly changing. “Since our dependency on the Internet has grown tremendously, cyber security has become a big concern because people have so much access. Now people are like I need to protect it,” says Rahman.
Hackers have been busy making cyber security a top priority. Just this year they targeted the CIA, the Senate Server and major corporations, to name a few. Using passwords is an easy way for hackers to pick the locks of cyber security for businesses and your personal computer. Earlier this year, the now defunct hacking group LulzSec claimed to have stolen one million passwords from the Sony Network.
A survey done by security firm Symantec says passwords can be such an easy way for hackers to attack because most people, 63 percent, don’t change their passwords often and 10 percent use the same passwords for different websites. So, hackers can just slip through your security. “The security is not really there even though there’s a password. We don’t really protect that key. Basically you lock your door but leave the key on the doorstep,” says Rahman.
Biometrics can be like an extra deadbolt on your computer and your information. It’s much harder for hackers to sneak into your network if your computer requires a fingerprint, rather than a re-used password. Rahman says that’s one reason biometrics is becoming more popular, not only with businesses but also with individuals looking keep their personal information safe.
The problem with biometrics can be the perception of privacy and safety. Some believe that hackers can still get into the server containing your biometric information. It’s also been rumored that the light used in biometrics causes cancer. According to the M2SYS Technology website, that is simply not true. The site says the same type of light used in biometrics is also used to treat cancer.
The bottom line is biometrics is here to stay and is already used in other countries for numerous things including banking and shopping. Rahman believes it is the way of the future. “Biometrics is still evolving. It has evolved very significantly in the last decade. It will improve way more in the future because a lot of the things we couldn’t have done before, the technology wasn’t available. Now it’s there and you’ll see a lot of new things coming out.”
View full post on National Cyber Security