Industry report on fingerprint biometrics

Growing Security Concerns to Drive Global Market for Fingerprint Biometrics, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (Press Release via Yahoo)

The ever present threat of security concerns like terrorist attacks, campus violence, random shootouts, burglary and physical assaults, will continue to offer a steady flow of opportunities for the conventional AFIS fingerprint biometrics by way of government compulsions in investing to beefing up security infrastructure. Non-AFIS Fingerprint Biometrics in m-commerce applications is forecast to drive strong gains in the market.

Advancements in technology, increasing accuracy and performance levels, reducing complexity and declining prices, are key factors responsible for expanding the application possibilities of fingerprint identification technologies beyond the government sector. Fingerprint identification systems are already being deployed in enterprises, particularly in large organizations with huge number of employees and continuous flow of visitors. Companies engaged in processing of sensitive information such as banking and financial institutions and research laboratories are also using fingerprint identification recognition extensively for monitoring visitor and employee movements. Non-AFIS fingerprint scanners are especially finding increased adoption in the business segment. Government regulations mandating stringent security measures for key commercial centers such as office buildings, malls, hospitality and healthcare facilities will also add to the market demand.

More interesting findings at the link, including falling costs for silicon based fingerprint sensors, which are small enough to be useful on mobile devices (laptops & hand-helds) but have been much more expensive than optical fingerprint readers.