An Exploration of Voice Biometrics

Biometrics is, in the simplest definition, something you are. It is a physical characteristic unique to each individual. Using biometrics to identify individuals is a practice as old as ancient Egypt. Today, it is becoming more and more popular to use biometrics to identify people and authenticate them for access to secure areas and systems. This paper will briefly define biometrics and enumerate the various kinds. I will examine in more depth voice biometrics, specifically how voice biometrics compares with other biometric technologies, how accurate it is, and how it is used to accomplish identity authentication. I will discuss privacy issues with the technology. Finally, I will explore how the technology has evolved, and some current and future applications of voice biometrics in our daily lives, illustrating why voice biometrics have significant future potential.