APPLICATION OF BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGY TO

MOBILE DEVICE SECURITY

Abstract

While traditional methods of attaining high security levels in mobile devices tend to focus on passwords and smartcards, this paper proposes that such stringent security levels can be achieved only with the addition of biometric authentication methods. It explores the definition of biometric authentication and the technological options applicable to mobile devices; including fingerprinting, facial recognition, iris scanning, speaker verification, keystroke analysis, and signature analysis. The success of any system ultimately depends on user acceptance of the system and thus this paper explores both the results of a previously published survey and an additional survey conducted by the author which measures user attitudes regarding the mobile marketplace and biometrics. The paper concludes with a suggested approach to implementing mobile biometric security measures within a business environment.