Security

What is the Future of Biometric Authentication?

Biometric Authentication

You can forget your password, but you can’t forget your face. In today’s world, where scams and data leaks have reached alarming heights, biometric authentication provides the extra layer of security that helps prevent fraud. Whether you use your face to unlock your phone or log in to an e-commerce platform, biometric authentication uses your biometric data, such as your face, as a form of verification to know that you are who you say you are.

But what does the future hold for this outstanding technology? Previously, we saw many biometric authentication use cases for the physical world, such as controlling access to buildings or rooms. Now, as we adapt and move to the digital sphere, technology continues to boom, reaching new industries and presenting many benefits for maintaining security.

What is Biometrics?

Biometric data is our biological measurements that are used to identify people. By analyzing these physical characteristics, such as making retina scans or using fingerprint mapping, biometric technology is considered a unique way to improve security.

It’s not arguable that unique traits can’t be replicated. For instance, body odor, the way someone walks, or how the veins are shaped on one’s hands are also biometric identifiers. For this reason, biometrics are now widely used in cybersecurity to prevent crime and detect fraud.

Also read: Best 10 Identity and Access Management (IAM) Solutions

Types of Biometrics

Biometric data is becoming increasingly important, claiming an important spot in our everyday security. As physical characteristics belong to one person, they can’t be altered or fixed. Let’s take twins as an example. They can share the same password, but they won’t pass each other’s biometric authentication check.

It’s important to note that there are three main types of biometrics:

  • Behavioral biometrics. Basically, they are behavioral patterns that are based on each person’s unique traits. The way you speak, walk, or even type on your keyboard are all patterns that are related to your identity.
  • Biological biometrics. This isn’t learned behavior. Biological biometrics are genetic traits. For example, a DNA sample, your blood, or other samples that are gathered through body fluids are biological biometrics.
  • Morphological biometrics. These data points depend on your body structure. Morphological biometrics rely on physical features, such as eyes, your face, or fingerprints. The data points are used for mapping, then identifying people through security scanners.

Security specialists claim that the eyes are the most secure part of the body in terms of biometrics. Eyes are considered to be the most reliable since they don’t change throughout time and remain almost exactly the same even at old age. Similar to a fingerprint, a retinal scan will show accurate results based on the person’s unique retinal pattern.

How Does Biometric Security Work?

When we hear the term “biometric security,” chances are that the conversation will lead toward biometric authentication methods. In other words, biometric identification has become a popular method for many businesses to collect biometric data, obtain it, and approve or deny access to a certain system or website online.

In a more traditional sense in the physical sphere, biometric data is analyzed by utilizing biometrics scanners. The devices capture biometrics to verify a person’s identity as well. Similar to remote digital biometric authentication, the scans are then matched against databases as a key to allow you to access and unlock a certain system.

Benefits and Future Predictions

Other biometric security examples include fingerprint scanning, iris recognition, facial recognition, voice recognition, and even heart-rate sensors. Biometric data is also added to electronic passports that are legal in some countries.

Most businesses use biometrics because of these benefits:

  • Convenience. Biometric authentication methods are a user-friendly option for those who often forget their passwords.
  • Security. It’s hard to steal biometric data. Compared to other forms of information, a simple password or your log-in data can be easily stolen, and when it comes to your facial features, it’s a whole different situation.

In the future, there are high chances that this technology will become mainstream. On top of that, Statista reports that the online identity verification market will double in size in the coming years, reaching a total value of approximately 50 billion dollars globally, which is closely tied to biometrics in cybersecurity.

Also read: Top 10 Benefits of Biometrics Technology

Biometric Identity Verification

Recent years have shown that hackers are getting smarter, and as a result, businesses need to look for a more modern approach when it comes to a safe cybersecurity system. If we previously had standard automatic identity verification systems, now we have biometric ID verification tools that not only scan the passport or the ID card but also automatically review a person’s photograph.

The biometric data of the user’s face is matched against various databases to check if the person is legit and if they aren’t using stolen information or a fake identity to pass the authentication. Businesses, such as fintech industry players or various digital banks as well as crypto companies, use this type of AI-powered biometric verification to ensure maximum accuracy and, this way, safeguard their clients’ data.

The Bottom Line

As technology progresses, it presents more opportunities for bad actors and cybersecurity product developers. Naturally, more businesses will transfer to the online world, where fraud and cyber crime remain challenging task that requires specific tools, such as biometric identity verification. Today’s users expect convenience as well as security, and that’s why biometric authentication is one of the most promising technologies of the future.

Written by
Barrett S

Barrett S is Sr. content manager of The Tech Trend. He is interested in the ways in which tech innovations can and will affect daily life. He loved to read books, magazines and music.

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