ISO/IEC 2382-37:2022

Overview

ISO/IEC 2382-37:2022 - "Information technology - Vocabulary - Part 37: Biometrics" is an international vocabulary standard that provides a systematic, harmonized set of terms and definitions for the field of biometric recognition of human beings. Published as the third edition in 2022 and prepared by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (Biometrics), the standard reconciles variant terms used in earlier biometric standards, clarifies preferred terminology, and organizes entries into a consistent numbering scheme (37.xx).

Key points:

• Focuses on vocabulary specific to biometric recognition (biological and behavioural characteristics).
• Excludes mode-specific terms and core concepts from other fields (e.g., pattern recognition, biology, mathematics).
• Entries follow a consistent format (entry number, preferred/admitted/deprecated terms, definition, examples, notes).
• No normative references; intended as a reference vocabulary.

Key topics and technical scope

ISO/IEC 2382-37:2022 defines and categorizes terms across the biometric domain, including:

• General concepts - e.g., biometric characteristic, biometric recognition and preferred usages (deprecated noun use of “biometric”).
• Biometric systems - e.g., biometric system, biometric capture subsystem, biometric identification system, biometric verification system, multimodal, multibiometric, monobiometric, biometric fusion.
• Data constructs - e.g., biometric data, biometric data record, anonymized biometric data record, biometric application database.
• Devices, functioning, interaction, personnel, application and performance - structured term sets covering sensors, capture processes, transactions, operator roles and measurement/performance vocabulary.
• Numbering and editorial practice - all terms begin with “37” to indicate SC 37; third edition added new terms and revised others while preserving earlier term numbers.

Practical applications

This vocabulary standard enables:

• Consistent technical documentation, specifications and requirement statements for biometric systems.
• Clear communication in procurement, interoperability testing, regulatory submissions and compliance reports.
• Harmonized terminology for standards development, research papers, user guides, training materials and legal/policy drafting.
• Reduced ambiguity when integrating biometric components (capture devices, algorithms, databases) from multiple vendors.

Who should use this standard

• Biometrics standardizers and standards committees (ISO/IEC and national bodies)
• System architects, product managers and R&D teams developing biometric systems
• Security engineers, identity management and access control professionals
• Procurement officers, compliance and legal teams, and researchers in biometrics

Related standards

• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 2382 vocabulary series
• ISO 10241-1 editorial guidance (used for the systematic order and entry format)