Implementing Biometric Security (Wiley Red Books) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Scott Blaul (Author) "IN THE REALM OF computer security, biometrics refers to authentication techniques that rely on measurable physiological and individual characteristics that can be automatically verified..." (more)
Key Phrases: retina technology, keystroke technology, password replacement, End Sub Private Sub, Active Directory, User Manager (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

* Biometrics authentication, which relies on fingerprints, speech, or other physical characteristics, is an increasingly important means of protecting critical data
* Gives security professionals specific guidelines, applications, and procedures for implementing a biometric security system in a LAN, WAN, or wireless infrastructure
* Covers fingerprint identification, hand geometry, speaker recognition, face location, retina scanning, and multibiometrics
* Companion Web site contains articles, papers, source code, and product guides

From the Back Cover

Get the specific guidelines, applications, and procedures for implementing a biometric security system–straight from the experts

As threats to vital data grow ever more complex, maintaining reliable security measures stands at the top of every network administrator’s critical list. In this first-ever book on applied biometrics, renowned expert and Hack Attacks author John Chirillo joins security professional Scott Blaul to deliver the explanations and hands-on examples you need to understand, implement, and apply security authentication methods that rely on fingerprints, retinal scans, speech patterns, even facial thermography. It’s your indispensable guide to setting up and maintaining a biometric security system in a LAN, WAN, or wireless infrastructure.

You’ll learn how to:

• Assess your situation and determine the most effective form of biometric security to meet your organization’s needs
• Compare and choose among fingerprint identification, hand geometry, speaker recognition, face location, and retinal scanning
• Explore and understand the challenges of multibiometrics
• Comprehend how verification differs from identification and the role biometrics can play in both processes
• Determine appropriate guidelines and procedures for implementing a biometric security system
• Understand the overall strengths and weaknesses of various biometric technologies
• Develop a template for your own practical security applications

The companion Web site provides source code and articles to increase your knowledge of biometrics and help you choose appropriate security methods.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764525026
• ISBN-13: 978-0764525025
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #906,729 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, expert, immensely useful, August 31, 2003

By	David Williams "I.T. consultant" (Newcastle, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an immensely informative and practical reference, which is pleasantly surprising - at first appearance it looks like an academic (i.e. theoretical) work.

The authors' premise is that biometric systems, relying on fingerprints, retinal scans, speech patterns and facial thermography, are a highly effective solution for the problems of network security and authentication. He then explains how to assess the most effective form of these biometric methods which will meet an organisations' needs, how to implement such systems and understand their overall strengths and weaknesses.

Although security is a highly-important issue, the contents are of value to those interested in biometric systems in general - for example, this is a technology of interest to labour-hire organisations. Such companies may place many hundreds of casual employees on remote client worksites and need verifiable means to determine the employee's attendance and hours worked - in short, an unfoolable version of the old "time clock" punch-card system.

The authors detail at length the foundational mathematics or principles behind each biometric system covered, and spend equal time describing genuine implementations - using readily available (commercial) hardware and software. Helpful screenshots, tables and diagrams accompany these practical components and give full confidence that the reader can reproduce the results themselves (with the appropriate hardware and software, of course). For software developers, sample source code is also provided showing how the biometric devices can be managed from within Visual Basic programs.

Completing the book is a companion Web site with updated source code, articles and case studies.

For those who see value in biometric systems within their organisation - whether for secure authentication or other purposes - this book is a welcome and useful reference, replete with expert advice and guidelines. It is definitely a "must read".

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biometric Puzzles Revealed, July 31, 2003

By	"larsenk" (Augusta, GA) - See all my reviews

There is a lot of mystery and myth concerning biometrics and the authors did a good job of exposing the facts and revealing the truth. "Implementing Biometric Security" breaks down the various forms of biometric technology into easily understandable blocks of information. Very few books breakdown the different forms of biometrics to the point that this one does. This is a true guide in helping you choose between biometric authentication systems. I'd recommend it a must read prior to investing time or money into a biometric business solution. The book is chock full of data. I found myself learning something new on almost every turn of the page. The good news is that I found it a fairly easy read and a great reference book. As a bonus, there is a companion site that has some readily available programs to get your biometric effort up and running. An excellent book for your work or personal IT library.