Why Veins Could Replace Fingerprints and Retinas as Most Secure Form of ID

ACM TechNews mentions the fact that finger vein authentication is starting to gain traction in Europe. Widely introduced by Japanese banks in the past two years, it is claimed to be the fastest and most biometric method of authentication. Companies in Europe have also begun to roll out this advanced biometric system from Japan, which identifies people from the unique patterns of veins inside their fingers.

Hitachi developed the technology, which captures the pattern of blood vessels by transmitting near-infrared light at different angles through the finger, then turning it into a digital code to match it against preregistered profiles. Unlike fingerprints that can be "lifted" and retinas scanned without an individual realizing it, its is extremely unlikely that people's finger vein profiles can be taken withouth them being aware of it.

Easydentic Group in France says it will use finger vein security for door access systems in the United Kingdom and other European markets.

For full story, see London Times Online.