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At the dawn of 2012, computer security looks a lot like it did five years ago—everything protected by a user ID and password. But that’s all set to change in the next five years. Instead of trying to remember passwords for dozens of online accounts—or worse, using the same password for all of them—more of us will rely on biometrics for protection.
At least that's IBM's vision. The company recently released its annual list of five predictions for five years into the future. Among them is the belief that facial definitions, eye scans, voice files and even DNA will safeguard personal identity and information, and replace the current memorization-based approach.
Some of these systems are already in use, but future developments will enhance the technologies, making them much more sensitive. Imagine voice and facial recognition sensors and software at an ATM refusing you access to your account because you look and sound under duress. Thinking that you the customer are possibly being robbed, it might even contact the police.
For more info, and the other predictions on IBM's list, visit snipurl.com/predictions
—Larry Greenemeier
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
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13 Comments
Add CommentGreat, your standing at a cash machine at 2 in the morning, your keys and phone are locked in your running car and you need cash to get a taxi! Stressed? You bet! Will the cash machine 'choose' not to give me any money? According to this article. Probably. This actually happened to me (hate to admit it)....
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSo, as far as arming system and software with the authority to deny my legal requests or choices, I'm against it. Red light cams send you tickets that a human never sees, cash machines that will choose when to give you access to your money. What after that? Life support that determines whether your life is worth saving?!
Humans must remain in control. Or kiss our rear ends goodbye.
Big deal, I already use my fingerprint to log on to my laptop. Faster, easier and more secure.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat's wrong with an ATM that uses biometrics?
Little by little we surrender more of our personal information to the control of forces we ourselves have no control over, blindly believing they will only use that information in a benevolent fashion.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSure, why not use biometrics, it is more secure, right? But, of course, that means these large multi-national corporations (not to mention an increasingly intrusive government) will have our finger prints, eye-scans, voice-file, and DNA on record. They won't misuse that information, will they? No, of course not, this is America.
We do not deserve the freedoms we have inherited and have done so little to preserve, so why not surrender them simply for the ease of getting cash at 2am?
Spoke like a true paranoid tech luddite.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFingerprint scanners do not work by storing a fingerprint. They digitize it to a number. It is possible for two people to have the same number with different fingerprints.
Also, how can you hide your eye or face? Move to Montana and live without electricity? Let me know when you try that.
You have the perfect name, Candide, although Dr. Pangloss would be more appropriate. You live in the best of all possible worlds, don't you?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhether it is an image or a digitized number, the result is the same - the electronic equivalent of identity papers.
Do you object to your photograph being taken? Hey, that's an image of you, visual ID, right? Soon you'll have to hide your face in public lest someone take a picture (electronic ID) of you.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe point is fingerprints are unique - they identify YOU.
Fingerprint reader capture, at least today, is NOT UNIQUE, it does not identify YOU - not even close.
As security to log on to a computer, or to get into a room, FP readers are fine, as absolute identification it is not appropriate.
So, no it is not electronic ID papers.
Not a chance. Biometrics are too inconsistent because human bodies are not consistent. Iris scans are wonderful for limited use in high security locations, but scan billions of people's eyes with a scanner of some sort and a certain percentage of them will get cancer of the eye. Fingerprints are great, but if the guy ahead of you in line at the ATM has just come from KFC, you're not going to get access to your account. Body measurement are affected by weight gain and loss. The mag strip is solid engineering, immune to RFID and if lost, still can't be hacked the way a smart card or cell phone can be.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNot a chance. Biometrics are too inconsistent because human bodies are not consistent. Iris scans are wonderful for limited use in high security locations, but scan billions of people's eyes with a scanner of some sort and a certain percentage of them will get cancer of the eye. Fingerprints are great, but if the guy ahead of you in line at the ATM has just come from KFC, you're not going to get access to your account. Body measurement are affected by weight gain and loss. The mag strip is solid engineering, immune to RFID and if lost, still can't be hacked the way a smart card or cell phone can be.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCandide: Don't give up your stance. You are right. Most people who object to biometric identification are paranoid because they are dishonest. Any you don't have to worry about a dirty finger or cancer in the eye either.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI would also like every vehicle on the road to be remotely identifiable for payment of taxes, driver's ID and state of his/her driving license. Will keep a lot of killers off the road and be fair to those who pay their taxes.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisData banks are being hacked all the time, even those that are touted as the most secure (DOD). Hackers eventually find ways to get around all security. Currently we can all change our passwords whenever we choose. How do we change our Bio Metrics when the hackers figure out how to manipulate them, and they will in time. We need something that can be modified quickly when the hackers find their way in. How will Bio Metrics accomplish that?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBK505: Its just evolution in action, without evolution's restriction - evolution does not discard what exists; modify is its only solution. A designer can discard a bad or obsolete design, that's what changing to biometrics amounts to - discarding an obsolete system.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOnce someone figures out a work-around, it becomes common knowledge and the work-around is blocked. Think how you would work around a fingerprint and come up with a solution. Publish it here and I can assure you a reader will find a way to disable your workaround.
[ Begging for Life] Complaint about IBM China Human Rights Violations, and Palmisano Knows That
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPlease Google:
IBM detained mother of ex-employee on the day of centennial
or
How Much IBM Can Get Away with is the Responsibility of the Media
or
Tragedy of Labor Rights Repression in IBM China
or
IBM Advised to Treat its People with Humanism in China