In today’s day and age, technology is rampant and fast evolving. It has become hard to live everyday life without relying on some sort of technology. For one thing, people tend to not go anywhere without their phones since it’s essential to our daily routines. Mobile devices are telling of a person as it has one’s personal information and data therefore we want to keep them safe. This is where Biometric Authentication comes in handy.

What is Biometric Authentication?

Biometric Authentication is one method of locking these devices for safety. It uses biometrics, which refers to a person’s unique characteristics, as a method of data security. This would use one’s fingerprints, face, or even iris in order to gain access to something. Manufacturers are using fingerprint authentication and, for some, even facial recognition in our devices. People don’t only use biometric authentication to keep their mobile devices locked. Important mobile apps such as banking use such forms of security as well. Biometric authentication has become more frequent in business as it provides strong authentication and a simple user interface¹.

Biometrics in Business

Employee login data can be replaced with biometric technology. Some companies use biometrics to identify employees and limit access to restricted areas or documents. Facial or iris recognition can offer touchless solutions to workers and customers, crucial amid the focus on contagious diseases. Additionally, by employing touchless biometric verification at building entry points, you can stop unlawful access and thereby raise security. 

Every fingerprint is distinct, yet it is also timeless. Your fingers’ dermal ridges form before birth and remain on your body until your skin deteriorates. Having said that, your fingerprints won’t alter as you age or after you pass away. Experts view fingerprints as a noble biometric trait that can efficiently manage access to a building. If biometrics guarantees anything, it is the fact that people are who they are no matter what. Employers can tell exactly which person was where in the event of a security breach, due to this. ². 

The information from biometric authentication is important for emergencies but can also aid in conflicts within the office as biometrics only belong to one person and thus renders others unable to use it. The expenses related to misplaced access cards or forgotten passwords are eliminated with biometric technology.

On a consumer standpoint, businesses that sell goods and services to consumers can integrate biometric technology into their point-of-sale systems to increase transaction efficiency. A biometric payment is an innovation that employs biometric authentication to distinguish the user and approve the withdrawal of money from a bank account. By providing proper identity and bank account information at a store kiosk, the customer registers for a biometric program. After logging in, the sensor compares the customer’s finger to approve the payment with just a touch. Biometric payments are quick, safe, and substantially lessen fraud³.

Biometrics aren’t full-proof

While biometrics consist of an individual’s unique traits and makes authentication stronger, this does not mean it is not susceptible to hacking. Hackers are able to create duplicates of biometric data by multiple unique methods such as using a person’s photo, replicating a fingerprint via silicone, or even utilizing 3D masks that mimic another’s facial features. Fingerprint scanners can also use technology to create partial matches. Researchers discovered that parts of fingerprints can match numerous people, creating what is known as “master prints” that could allow hackers to access a large group of biometric authentication.

One major problem with biometric authentication is that they occasionally fail to identify the true owner of a biometric due to subtle changes in appearance such as glasses or makeup. Some biometric authenticators create a problem by failing to identify the features of people of color or by seeing people of certain races as one and the same. Of course, with more money, you would be able to make biometric authentication stronger. However, biometric authentication definitely still has a lesser risk of hacking as compared with passwords⁴.

The Future of Biometric Authentication

As individuals grow more accustomed to using biometric data for security purposes and as technology advances, the use of biometric authentication is anticipated to continue growing and becoming more widely used in the future. It will be crucial for technology companies and governments to create appropriate and ethical rules for the use and protection of biometric data because the growth of biometric authentication also brings privacy concerns.

The Bottomline

Overall, biometric authentication is a good way to increase efficiency within a business. Although not foolproof, biometric authentication provides a strong security system that can give hackers a hard time to bypass. Implementing biometric authentication is one of the top fintech trends and a good way to keep your business up to date. Although it is costly, companies view it as an investment that can boost employee morale in the long run.