May 2007 — News
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Biometrics in K-12: Vendor Claims and Your Business Plan
See for Yourself Food Service Solutions Inc. uses Sagem Morpho's biometric scanner in its cafeteria point of sale, POSitive ID System. See biometric scanning for vendor claims. Even the good guys can find a way in. You think biometrics are secure? See how the Myth Busters for Discovery channel debunked the claim that fingerprints are a secure way to prevent entry into locked areas. |
My own quest for The Truth about Biometric Devices in Schools (Johns, March 27, 2007) led to this three-part series on biometrics in K-12. It's a controversial topic, not just in the United States, but in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, which has its own concerned citizens fighting to ban fingerprinting of children in schools (e.g., LeaveThemKidsAlone.com). My premise has been that before you decide to ban its use or buy into biometrics, you need to have an understanding of the technology itself and applications available (Part 1), knowledge of key issues and concerns that have been raised (Part 2), a keen eye for vendor claims, and then a sound business plan of action that leads to a security solution you really need. In this final installment in this three-part series, we'll take a look at vendor claims and the need for a sound business plan.
Vendor Claims
Vendors will tell you biometric systems eliminate the need to worry about lost or stolen or forgotten ID cards, passwords, and PIN numbers. Biometric readers can speed up lunch lines, make attendance taking easier and more accurate, and secure entry, computer access, and other school services. They should be preferred over systems based on PINs or cards or passwords because a biometric is associated with only one person and is always available. I would not be swayed by those claims.
