“Fingerprint
recognition devices have been around for a number of years but they were
initially commercially unsuccessful, primarily due to their high price,” says
Justin Siller, an IMS Research analyst. “Over time pockets of opportunity have
emerged where fingerprint biometrics have started to find real traction.”
According to the
latest biometrics market report by IMS, the global market for fingerprint
devices is forecasted to reach $650 million by 2013.
Government
agencies such law enforcement and prisons have been utilizing the technology to
collect data on criminals and secure facilities.
“In governmental
buildings the use of fingerprint recognition for access control is increasing
as governments worldwide seek higher levels of security. With certain areas of
the government sector finding success with fingerprint devices, additional
opportunities for the use of biometrics have emerged,” Siller says.
Biometrics has
also become a factor in other government programs such as e-passports, border
control, visas, national identification, refugee programs, welfare programs,
voter cards, benefit fraud and food programs.
The move toward
biometrics has also affected airports and border control applications, as well
as healthcare and manufacturing industries.
“Biometrics is no
longer a dream of the past and truly has a bright future ahead,” Siller says.
