References

What is Biometrics: 

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/biometrics.html

http://www.bromba.com/faq/biofaqe.htm

What has is replaced: 

http://www.zdnetasia.com/will-biometrics-replace-passwords-and-pins-39311372.htm

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/expert/KnowledgebaseAnswer/0,289625,sid14_gci1242775,00.html

Advantages:

http://www.questbiometrics.com/advantages-of-biometrics.html

http://www.browderelectronics.com/biometric_advantage_wp.pdf

Disadvantages:

http://www.biometricview.com/disadvantages-of-biometric-security.php

http://ezinearticles.com/?Biometrics&id=16097

Blogging: 

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/5111.htmlhttp://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/2004/nt_2004_08_23_blogging.htm

Blogging: General Motors

Blogs are used by many organizations worldwide and are gaining popularity very quickly. Take General Motors for example who have started a blog available for use to employees and public. The blog displays company updates including new products or any relevant news regarding General Motors. This serves as an advantage for the company for several reasons. Because it is used by the public, it is a great way for General Motors to get feedback on their products and a great way to connect with customers. This easy to use software allows the organization to create a new communication channel with customers. Blogs can also be very easily linked to other web pages for easy access to articles, pictures or videos which allows the information on the blog to be accessed by search engines (yahoo, google, etc) which increases the traffic on the blog. Blogs also make it easy for companies to influence the public by making it simple for the public to access accurate and up to date information whether it be new products or even to control a company crisis. Blogs allow companies to speak directly with customers about complaints or even suggestions which grants the company feedback on their products that they can use to improve their product or service. Blogs can also be a great way to share knowledge within the company. There are also disadvantages to blogging such as the time and energy it takes to constantly keep the blog updated. This can be a high expense for a company and if not updated this may be damaging instead of effective and may hurt the reputation of the company. Because blogs are available to use by the public, it can be hard to control the posts and comments which at times may be unprofessional or unfavorable for the company resulting in bad publicity. 

Biometric Disadvantages

Most of the disadvantages associated with biometrics are due to the reliance that biometric technology has on specific human characteristics. These characteristics (fingerprint, iris, voice or face recognition) act as a form of password. These human characteristics though, such as fingerprints are viable to change throughout time, which may lead do wrongful denial of access. When using iris recognition, capturing the iris can be highly difficult and many fear that the scanning may be dangerous for the eye. Biometric systems are highly sensitive to lighting, expression and body position which may also lead to wrongful denial. A persons voice is also likely to change over time and voice may also be affected by common illnesses such as flu and coughs. When these specific human characteristics change, the individual must be re-entered into the system, which may be time consuming and costly. Other disadvantages of biometrics are its high price and many cases show that it can be dangerous to owners of secured items. Unlike a regular password which can be changed and reset, biometrics cannot be altered. Due to these disadvantages, the reliability on this technology is reduced.

Biometric Advantages

Biometrics is advantageous because unlike a passwords, PINs or identification cards, a biometric cannot be stolen, lost, forgotten or forged. The advantage to biometrics is that it is a system that relies on unique physical attributes rather than what a person knows or what they carry for identification. This makes biometrics a safer alternative and also a more convenient one. Not only does it assure security, it reduces fraud, eliminates problems caused by lost or stolen passwords or identification cards. Biometrics also reduces password administration costs incurred by organizations. Biometrics can also trace and link an individual to a particular transaction. Biometric systems are now being used in many industries due its many advantages.

What has biometrics replaced?

Biometrics is a heightened form of authentication. It is a technology which replaces the use of password and PIN systems as well as other authentication systems. Biometrics may not necessarily replace all routine security, however for more secure identification, the use of biometrics is highly preferred.

What is biometrics?

Biometrics is a type of security that grants or denies access to certain systems, computers, data, and facilities with specified privileges through the analysis of fingerprints, retinal patterns in the eye, or other bodily characteristics.