Facial recognition is likely
to become the biometric
method of choice for ICS
security.
Iris scanning is also growing in popularity
— each person has a unique iris, which
stays the same throughout their lifetime.
However, iris scanning can be difficult.
People’s eyes rarely stay still, and the
shape of our eyes essentially forms a
curved reflective surface that is partially
obscured by our eyelids and eyelashes.
Facial recognition is likely to become
the biometric method of choice for
ICS security. It can be incorporated
with existing surveillance systems and
integrates well with artificial intelligence.
To use it, businesses must have access to
high levels of processing power, a large
amount of storage space and good lighting
conditions.
TWO STEPS TO SAFETY
To improve accuracy, businesses can opt
for a multi-factor biometric identification
system, which uses more than one
measurement. One problem with this is
that in emergency situations when the
user needs to issue a quick command, the
system may be too slow.
Storing the data in advance, so that only
one rapid measurement is needed at
the time of access can speed up the
process. Businesses must consider how
they store this data, so that it cannot be
copied or stolen by a cyber-criminal —
storing only part of the information is one
way of addressing this. Researchers at
the Seektron Company and Petroleum-
Gas University of Ploiesti, Romania, have
developed and patented a system that
stores part of a user’s biometric data. It
uses an RFID card that stores fingerprint
templates and when the user requests
access to a protected area, they scan their
fingerprint to create a live template, which
is compared with those stored securely on
the card.
Biometric technology provides an effective,
affordable and easy to implement way of
improving the physical security of an ICS.
For these approaches to be successful,
we need to increase acceptance among
employees. As people get used to using
commercial devices, such as smartphones,
with fingerprint or facial recognition,
biometrics in industry is more likely to take
off.
Need help securing your industrial
control system? Kolabtree has over 9,000
registered scientists to help you with your
project.
For further information, please visit www.kolabtree.com.
Issue 43 PECM
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