Abstract
Biometrics technologies have been around for quite some time and many have been deployed for different applications all around the world, ranging from small companies' time and attendance systems to access control systems for nuclear facilities. Biometrics offer a reliable solution for the establishment of the distinctiveness of identity based on "who an individual is", rather than what he or she knows or carries. Biometric Systems automatically verify a person's identity based on his/her anatomical and behavioral characteristics. Biometric traits represent a strong and undeviating link between a person and his/her identity, these traits cannot be easily lost or forgotten or faked, since biometric systems require the user to be present at the time of authentication. Some biometric systems are more reliable than others, yet they are neither secure nor accurate, all biometrics have their strengths and weaknesses. Although some of these systems have shown reliability and solidarity, work still has to be done to improve the quality of service they provide. Presented is the available standing biometric systems showing their strengths and weaknesses and also emerging technologies which may have great benefits for security applications in the near future.