What is the main purpose of biometrics in computer security?

The main purpose of biometrics in computer security is to recognize individuals through physiological traits. This method leverages unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris patterns, or voice, to accurately identify and authenticate individuals. Biometrics serves to enhance security by ensuring that the person accessing a system is indeed who they claim to be, making it significantly more challenging for unauthorized users to gain access.

In contrast, while physical access to buildings can be a secondary benefit of biometric systems (as they may be used in access control systems), this is not their primary purpose in the context of computer security. Encryption of communications is a distinct area focused on protecting data confidentiality and integrity during transmission, while managing digital certificates pertains to the infrastructure of public key cryptography and does not involve the direct identification of individuals. Thus, recognizing individuals through their physiological traits stands out as the key function of biometrics in enhancing computer security.