Biometric engine
Biometric engine definition
Biometric engines work by processing and analyzing unique physical or behavioral characteristics of people to verify their identity or authenticate their access to services and devices. These engines are the core technology behind biometric systems, allowing for secure identification and authentication processes across various applications, from unlocking smartphones to granting access to restricted areas.
See also: biometric authentication, biometric data, biometric spoofing
How biometric engines work
Before anything else, a biometric engine captures an individual’s biometric data — like their fingerprints, facial features, or iris patterns — and converts it into a digital format. The engine then extracts distinct features from this data to create a biometric template, which is stored securely in a database for future comparison.
When someone attempts to access a service or a device, the biometric engine captures their biometric data once more and processes it to extract the same types of features identified during enrollment. It then compares this freshly captured data against the stored templates to find a match.
This comparison relies on complex algorithms that can accurately identify matching features while allowing for minor variations since biometric data can slightly change over time due to aging, injuries, or other factors. If the engine finds a template that matches the new biometric data within its tolerance levels, it confirms the individual’s identity or grants access.