Biometric scanning waits for standards - News - Business

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Biometric scanning waits for standards

By David Neal, IT Week
November 14, 2000
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Biometric-scanning-waits-for-standards/0,139023166,120106922,00.htm

Lack of standards and adequate research means biometric technology has a way to go

Widespread use of biometric devices, such as fingerprint and iris scanners, is being delayed because the technologies involved are still immature, according to Chetan Patwardhan, director of technology research at credit card company, Visa.

In his keynote speech at Biometrics 2000 in London last week, Patwardhan said that steep learning curves for users, continuing high costs and confusion over standards are hindering progress.

Patwardhan said users are reluctant to accept a technology that is changing rapidly and has no single coherent standard. Despite this, vendors are already approaching Visa and asking to bundle their devices with Visa smartcards. "It is not as simple as that," said Patwardhan. "The use of the credit card had to evolve over time, it takes a long time to get these things accepted."

Patwardhan added that he endorsed the view that the industry would consolidate, but admitted that he did not know when this consolidation would happen.

Limited user acceptance currently makes biometric devices unsuitable for tackling debit and credit card fraud, said Patwardhan. Firms using biometric devices for e-commerce will reap benefits from convenience and the ability to add value to the business, rather than customer security, he added.

Patwardhan said biometric devices will provide an easy and convenient method for customers to identify themselves online. He said he was surprised that so few firms are currently using this technology. However, he noted that customer recognition will add value to a business, but is still not a perfect security solution.

Explaining Visa's stance and the possibility of using biometrics for credit cards, Patwardhan said, "We are looking to offer zero anxiety and secure relationships, but it is not an easy path. We may be looking at biometrics but I would still recommend looking around at other solutions."