The National Australia Bank (NAB) is using biometric
voice recognition software to identify whether telephone bankers
are genuine.
Organisations that require highsecurity are either using or
monitoring the development of the biometric security technology
industry.
NAB is not the only bank harnessing biometric security
technology. Last
year,
HSBC started using biometric technology capable of recognising
over 2,500 different facial features to help it control access to
datacentres.
Bob McDowall, analyst at TowerGroup, said
biometrics is an option for banks, but he warned that there are
uncertainties and challenges for banks that use it.
"It is not 100% because people's voices and faces change.The
banks will also have to ensure that the voice and facial data used
is secured appropriately because people may see it as an invasion
of their privacy," he said.
Another sector which needs to be highly secure ishealthcare.
Tracy Andrew, head of information and security at Berkshire Shared
Services, said the NHS Trust only uses biometrics in its nurseries
to control parental access."We use fingerprint recognition and it
has been 100% successful. It has also improved our efficiency by
automating access."
He said the parents like the system, but he said the Trust had
to take into consideration people's fears of their data being
captured and retained. "The system we chose does not store the
entire fingerprint, but recognises certain points."
He said the trust took its time implementing the system to
ensure it overcame issues such as privacy. "It was not easy, but it
was not actually that expensive," he added.