Frequently Asked Questions:
BioStore is an internal database located within a school, which stores the information which identifies pupils uniquely to each of the applications used at the school.
BioStore requires each pupil to register only once, usually by placing a finger on a fingerprint scanner, although other identification methods are available.
BioStore’s centralised system speeds up the registration process - each student need only register once, no matter how many applications requiring identification are in place at the school.
With a Biometric system, students cannot borrow or steal credentials from each other, reducing the opportunities for bullying. Queues are reduced, because the rate of identification of students is quickened. Students need no longer carry cards, remember PINs, or use cash to buy a meal.
Biometric systems save time and money for both school and pupils because the need to replace lost cards and forgotten passwords is eliminated.
BioStore does not store images of fingerprints on its system, and never will. Only mathematical representations of certain points of a finger image are recorded, typically between ten and sixty depending on the characteristics of the finger. This mathematical data is encrypted and is called a template. The data is extremely secure in its encrypted form, and even if it were not encrypted it would be impossible to recreate the original fingerprint image from the stored data.
No, the BioStore system only stores a short string of encrypted numbers, too little data for the original print to be reconstructed.
The BioStore database is protected by a licence key, meaning that the database and any backup of its contents can only be accessed on licensed hardware. The hardware is stored in the school’s own secure facility, so that the encrypted data is only available to the registered licensee. Even if a school’s security were to be compromised and a backup of the database stolen, the encrypted data would still be unreadable, even by another school.
The simple answer is no. The fingerprint template stored in the database is merely a string of encrypted numbers. If this string of numbers were to be removed from the database, it would be useless, because it cannot be recognised as a fingerprint. A fingerprint scanner checks for a real finger – it does not recognise a string of numbers.
BioStore does not store fingerprint images. The recorded templates are comprised of a set of numbers which represent each person. This set of numbers will be unique within populations of hundreds, or a few thousands, of people. However, in a wider population the system is not accurate enough for the templates to be usable for forensic matching with any degree of certainty. A court of law would not be able to use this information as evidence
Even identical twins have different fingerprints, and will not be mistaken for each other by BioStore. In very rare cases there are people who are born without fingerprints. Occasionally someone’s fingerprints may deteriorate because of exposure to some chemical products, and sometimes temperature changes can cause reduction in fingerprint quality. However, a cut finger would not cause any problem for BioStore, unless it resulted in major disfigurement.
Alternative identification methods, such as smart cards and name and photo identification, are always available in BioStore systems. Pupils unable to provide biometric data can opt to use one of these methods, as can any pupil who prefers not to use biometrics.
The school will issue any pupil who wishes to opt out of the biometric system with an alternative method of identification. BioStore recognises a number of identification methods, including smartcards, PINs, passwords and name and photo lookup.
