The probability that a biometric system will incorrectly identify an individual or will fail to reject an impostor. The rate given normally assumes passive impostor attempts. SOURCE: SP 800-76 The measure of the likelihood that the biometric security system will incorrectly accept an access attempt by an unauthorized user. A system's false acceptance rate typically is stated as the ratio of the number of false acceptances divided by the number of identification attempts. (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)
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The probability that a biometric system will incorrectly identify an individual or will fail to reject an impostor. The rate given normally assumes passive impostor attempts. SOURCE: SP 800-76 The measure of the likelihood that the biometric security system will incorrectly accept an access attempt by an unauthorized user. A system's false acceptance rate typically is stated as the ratio of the number of false acceptances divided by the number of identification attempts. (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). False Acceptance Rate (far). In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 23, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/false-acceptance-rate-far
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