Biometric Technology Application Manual - ITI Observatorio ...

Section 1 6 Introduction
Biometrics for Identity Management
What is identity management? Identity management
is defined as “the registration, storage, protection,
issuance, and assurance of a user’s personal identifier(s)
and privilege(s) in an electronic environment in a secure,
efficient, and cost-effective manner.” 4
Identity management is an increasing concern across the
public and private sectors. In the private sector it is most
frequently thought of in the context of identity theft. According
to FDIC figures, 10 million Americans suffered
identity theft in 2003 with a cost to business in excess
of US$50 billion and a personal impact that is difficult to
estimate. As staggering as this sum is, identity theft is at
the heart of significantly broader economic vulnerabilities
and national security concerns. Using biometrics to
develop identity theft countermeasures has direct impact
on civil infrastructure protection.
Authentication and identification of people are critical to
eliminating threats to national security and public safety,
and securing business transactions. As technology
advances and public policy debates continue over the
pros and cons of national identity programs, the identity
management industry continues to grow and change.
Specific to biometric technologies, increased attention
to homeland security, for example, has spurred significant
growth.
Organizations, whether public or private, large or small,
4 According to Daon. Biometric Identity Management in Large-
Scale Enterprises. Used with permission.
Version 2 – Summer 2008