Biometric security in ATMs
From my previous post about SBI ATM story, you might be well aware that I am in awe of rural ppal using this relatively new technology in a whole-hearted fashion. Though we were quite behind the world in propagating this tech-blessing to our countrymen, we can surely catch upto them in no time.
As early as 1999, the developed countries started using the biometric security solutions in their ATMs. It is high time that we also follow the suit. To start with, we could recommend/compel the banks to augment their ATMs with finger print authentication systems.
I discussed this idea with few of my friends. The immediate refutation that displayed the resistance to change mentality was:
1. My ATM card is being used by my parents. So once this system is in place they wont be able to use my ATM card.
Many recent robbery events like extorting out the ATM pins and withdrawing money from ATM, a boy using his father's credit card password to make fradulent transactions worth some lakhs, etc has sounded the alarm. This necessitates that we consider the banking transactions as something sacred and take preventive measures by stopping people from accessing each others account.
2. The next argument was humorous but still realistic. The robbers might cut the thumbs of people and then withdraw money from their accounts.
Of course, no security in the system is safe from rubber-hose attacks, but we could make the life of criminals as hard as possible.
3. Movies like Charlie's Angels, Being cyrus, etc. show that it is very easy to fool the finger print recongnition system.
But when finger print recognition is combined with existing pin-password system, it would provide enhanced security as compared to the current state.
4. The cost factor.
Given that ATM machines cost somewhere around 3000$, cost of additional 200$ is acceptable by all means. There would be reluctance from banks to avoid this additional cost. But nonetheless it is an investment. Moreover, if a certain bank can provide this facility, it could make it a top advertising agenda to allure more customers. In essence, competitive advantage can be achieved by being the first one to introduce biometric security in ATMs. The rest of the banks will soon follow.
Indian banking sector is booming and with widespread use of technology in day-to-day activities, security is becoming a serious concern to the systems. The banking softwares are buring examples of real-time, robust and fault tolerant systems. They cannot afford even a minute downtime or loss of data.
I was quite impressed by the net safe payment methods, where the internet transactions can be done without disclosing the credit card information to the seller. The concept is simple, a temporary one-time card information is generated for doing a internet payment. The credit card payment gateway temporarily recognizes this information which cannot be re-used. Many such simple but efficient protocols are soon to emerge. It is just the matter time that ppal start believing in the widespread use of technology to their advantage.
More information about finger print authentication gadgets used in ATMs can be obtained from
http://www.axistech.com/indexWelcome.asp?size=1024
http://onclick.blogs.com/biometrics/2005/03/japan_banks_to_.html
As early as 1999, the developed countries started using the biometric security solutions in their ATMs. It is high time that we also follow the suit. To start with, we could recommend/compel the banks to augment their ATMs with finger print authentication systems.
I discussed this idea with few of my friends. The immediate refutation that displayed the resistance to change mentality was:
1. My ATM card is being used by my parents. So once this system is in place they wont be able to use my ATM card.
Many recent robbery events like extorting out the ATM pins and withdrawing money from ATM, a boy using his father's credit card password to make fradulent transactions worth some lakhs, etc has sounded the alarm. This necessitates that we consider the banking transactions as something sacred and take preventive measures by stopping people from accessing each others account.
2. The next argument was humorous but still realistic. The robbers might cut the thumbs of people and then withdraw money from their accounts.
Of course, no security in the system is safe from rubber-hose attacks, but we could make the life of criminals as hard as possible.
3. Movies like Charlie's Angels, Being cyrus, etc. show that it is very easy to fool the finger print recongnition system.
But when finger print recognition is combined with existing pin-password system, it would provide enhanced security as compared to the current state.
4. The cost factor.
Given that ATM machines cost somewhere around 3000$, cost of additional 200$ is acceptable by all means. There would be reluctance from banks to avoid this additional cost. But nonetheless it is an investment. Moreover, if a certain bank can provide this facility, it could make it a top advertising agenda to allure more customers. In essence, competitive advantage can be achieved by being the first one to introduce biometric security in ATMs. The rest of the banks will soon follow.
Indian banking sector is booming and with widespread use of technology in day-to-day activities, security is becoming a serious concern to the systems. The banking softwares are buring examples of real-time, robust and fault tolerant systems. They cannot afford even a minute downtime or loss of data.
I was quite impressed by the net safe payment methods, where the internet transactions can be done without disclosing the credit card information to the seller. The concept is simple, a temporary one-time card information is generated for doing a internet payment. The credit card payment gateway temporarily recognizes this information which cannot be re-used. Many such simple but efficient protocols are soon to emerge. It is just the matter time that ppal start believing in the widespread use of technology to their advantage.
More information about finger print authentication gadgets used in ATMs can be obtained from
http://www.axistech.com/indexWelcome.asp?size=1024
http://onclick.blogs.com/biometrics/2005/03/japan_banks_to_.html
posted by Virag at 11:49 PM
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