遠隔でのコミュニケーションや取引が日常となった今日、顔や指紋、声紋などの生体情報、筆跡や歩き方などの行動的特徴で個人を認証しようとするのが生体認証です。生体認証が用いる多様な認証データの種類を取り上げ、現在の実用事例や、将来の実用化に向け認証精度の向上を求め開発中の技術、そしてさまざまな問題点も挙げ、解決策を示します。この技術の利点と限界、そして未来をどう支えていき得るかについても検討します。
　　

• Introduces the important and rapidly growing field of biometrics-based identity checking
• Considers the different types of biometric identification, from fingerprints to iris patterning and voice recognition, and future possibilities involving gait, and ear shape
• Describes emerging techniques which can enhance the achievable performance of biometric systems
• Explores the benefits and limitations of these pervasive and powerful technologies, and what the future might bring

 
We live in a society which is increasingly interconnected, in which communication between individuals is mostly mediated via some electronic platform, and transactions are often carried out remotely. In such a world, traditional notions of trust and confidence in the identity of those with whom we are interacting, taken for granted in the past, can be much less reliable. Biometrics - the scientific discipline of identifying individuals by means of the measurement of unique personal attributes - provides a reliable means of establishing or confirming an individual's identity. These attributes include facial appearance, fingerprints, iris patterning, the voice, the way we write, or even the way we walk. The new technologies of biometrics have a wide range of practical applications, from securing mobile phones and laptops to establishing identity in bank transactions, travel documents, and national identity cards. 

This Very Short Introduction considers the capabilities of biometrics-based identity checking, from first principles to the practicalities of using different types of identification data. Michael Fairhurst looks at the basic techniques in use today, ongoing developments in system design, and emerging technologies, all aimed at improving precision in identification, and providing solutions to an increasingly wide range of practical problems. Considering how they may continue to develop in the future, Fairhurst explores the benefits and limitations of these pervasive and powerful technologies, and how they can effectively support our increasingly interconnected society.