Colloquia Series
Who am I; Who do I claim to be? Protecting Identity in the 21st Century
Sep 16
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
9:50–9:50 AM
Presented by Penn College faculty, Lisa Bock.
Since the internet became public in 1992, rapid technological advances have opened the world to many possibilities. With them, came multiple threats to our identities, our safety, and our financial resources. Society has embraced technology, but how can we be sure that we are interacting with the correct entity in an environment that promises anonymity? Companies seek ways to mitigate threats and secure data (for instance, through the use of passwords, the main means of providing authentication). However, it has become obvious that passwords alone are simply not enough to protect us.
Biometric technology is becoming more influential, as it provides a more robust method of protection, using fingerprints, iris, voice, palmprints or facial recognition. This technology, introduced through the FBI’s Identification Division in 1924, when it began storing fingerprint cards, will, in many ways, influence the way society interacts with digital devices. Unlike a password or a smart card, biometric technology identifies an attribute that is not only unique to the individual but also defies duplication.
How will biometrics affect the individual sitting at his/her personal device? How will cost, effectiveness, and the need to maintain biometric traits safely and privately affect the industry? These are the questions consumers, governments, businesses, and all denizens of the online world need to consider as they move into the next iteration of identity protection.
Bibliography
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Penn College Faculty: Lisa Bock