An interesting post:
techstocks.com
Especially this excerpt:
"Fingerprint ID offers some clear advantages over smart cards: users don't need to remember a PIN number, and there's certainly no risk of a user misplacing his fingerprint or forgetting it. Some customers are buying Compaq's offering primarily to reduce phone calls to IT help desks regarding lost PIN numbers, says Brant Jones, product marketing manager at Compaq. Another advantage of fingerprint ID over smart cards is that there's no worry that a PIN number can get into the wrong hands, because users don't have to write down anything.
"Several other vendors say they're considering offering fingerprint ID technology, but there are concerns about privacy issues and some potential problems with this approach. IBM's research has determined that an abrasion to a fingertip could confuse the reader and lock the user from access, and that the technology to deliver foolproof fingerprint ID without any penalty to legitimate users could potentially cost $1,000 or more per user. 'There needs to be a very high level of rejection rate for nonauthorized users, and a very high acceptance rate for the authorized user,' says Phil Hester, chief technology officer of IBM's personal systems group.
"PeopleSoft's Thompson says he hasn't considered fingerprint ID because he's concerned that employees won't want their fingerprints recorded. 'There are some social issues to consider,' Thompson says."
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Re: IBM's concern about abrasions. The new IDT software that allows four fingers to be enrolled might put this problem to rest. |
