Different approaches ensure security in a fast-moving world where technology and artificial intelligence play a vital role. Biometrics is a rising concept that many personal and corporate sectors use as a security measure; it uses different identifiers of your biology and behavior. The biometric identity has made many feel concerned about its standalone authentication.
Modern cybersecurity focuses more on reducing the risk for this compelling solution used for security purposes. Traditional passwords are no longer potent in terms of security. Biometrics answers the security issue by linking the proof of identity to our body and behavioral patterns or the biological details of a person.
Let us share some important details about Biometrics and how it works. We will discuss the following for your reference.
- What is Biometrics?
- What is identified by Biometrics data?
- What is a biometrics scanner?
- What are the risks related to biometric security systems?
- How to make it more secure
What is Biometrics?
Biometrics are biological measurements of a persona or physical characteristics that can be used to specify an individual’s identity. For example, modern biometric technology uses fingerprint mapping, facial recognition, and retina scans. These are the most used options, and many more help secure the data and privacy of the users of high-tech applications and appliances. Also, there are more acceptable and advanced methods used, such as the shape of the ear of a person and how someone sits or walks, the unique body Odor of a person, the veins in one’s hands, and even the facial contortions and other unique identification methods are used as the further finest approaches of biometrics technology.
There are three specific types of Biometrics security. While the world has other applications, Biometrics is currently the most used security system. You can categorize this into three main groups or segments.
- Biological Biometrics
- Morphological Biometrics
- Behavioral Biometrics
Let us now see what each of these means.
Biological Biometrics use features at a genetic and molecular level. This could extend to using features like DNA or the features of a person’s blood, which can be examined through a sample of the body’s fluids.
Morphological Biometrics uses the structure of your body. It uses more sensitive features of your body, like your eye, fingerprint, and the features and shape of your face, which security scanners can scan.
Behavioral Biometrics are based on a person’s unique behavior patterns. If these patterns are tracked, how you walk, talk, or even type with the help of a keyboard can indicate your identity.
Do you know how Biometrics security works? It has a decisive role to play in our daily security purposes. As we all know, physical characteristics are character-specific and unique from person to person. They are individual features, even in the case of twins. So, these unique character features can replace the password systems in computers, phones, and other equipment requiring security restrictions. Also, it is the same with entering buildings and rooms that are security protected.
Once you obtain biometric data from a person, it can be saved for future use. This feature is matched every time you try accessing or entering a specific application or building. The data is saved on a device or a distant server and used occasionally upon need. Usually, we use Biometric scanners. They are hardware that captures biometric data and verifies each person’s identity. When you scan a person, that data matches the pre-saved data stored in the remote server. So, your body is the key to unlocking specific applications, equipment, and building access. It’s surprising and incredible when you think about it.
This method has its benefits.
Biometrics is more convenient to use as it is always with you, and you will not lose or forget it as you do with a password. Also, no one can steal or impersonate it as it is within you, whereas a security key or the password could be stolen. So, Biometrics is more secure and safe.
Examples of Biometric Security
Below are some common examples of the use of Biometrics
- Fingerprint scanning
- Voice recognition
- Face recognition
- Heart rate sensors
- Iris recognition.
Biometrics has become a more practical solution and has already been established as an effective way of ensuring security across many industries worldwide. More advanced biometrics features protect highly confidential documents and valuables. Citibank is a critical company that uses voice recognition as a security measure. The British bank Halifax has started testing devices that monitor the heartbeat to verify the customer’s identity. Ford has also begun including Biometrics in its car systems as a high-security measure.
Biometrics is also used in e-passports worldwide. In the United States, this e-passport has a chip with a digital picture of the user and the fingerprint or iris. It uses very advanced technology that prevents the chip from being read and data skimmed by unauthorized persons or data readers.
Is Biometrics safe?
This is one common concern that all of us might have in the back of our minds. Biometric scanners have become increasingly sophisticated. Today, you can see biometric security protection on phones as well. The face recognition feature of the Apple iPhone X is an excellent example of this. It projects 30000 infrared dots into the user’s face to authenticate the user pattern matching. It is so accurate that the chance of mistaken identity by the iPhone X is one in a million.
Also, the LG V 30 smartphone has combined facial and voice recognition with fingerprint scanning for better security. CrucialTec also linked the heart rate sensor to its fingerprint scanner for double authentication. It provides higher security than a single fingerprint can offer. Also, it ensures that the fingerprint details cannot be cloned and used to get access to the systems.
However, there is a concern about the facial recognition system, as biometric scanners can be tricked. With the help of AL, you can now reconstruct facial expressions to match a person. This could be used to breach security systems easily. Also, fingerprint cloning is widespread. They make it using candle wax. Now, you have several ways to copy and clone fingerprints very easily.
The privacy concerns of Biometrics.
Though biometrics authentication is convenient, there is a more profound concern regarding security and its impact on personal privacy. That is, the personal data can be collected very quickly without consent.
In countries like China, facial recognition is one of the most common forms of security. It is used for routine purchases, as well as in London. New York, Chicago, and Moscow have linked facial recognition systems to their CCTV cameras so the local police can quickly identify the criminals. Also, the universities are coming up with more advanced research. They are trying to invent scanners that helps to scan the Irises of people in crowds from a distance of 10 meters. Also, in 2018, Dubai Airport photographed travelers with 80 cameras as they passed through a tunnel in a virtual aquarium. The facial recognition cameras are at work in most of the airports around the world.
The security concerns of Biometrics data.
One of the most common concerns that has arsed is that the databases of personal information can be a target of hackers. Cybercriminals can quickly access these data and easily create problems and crimes.
So, it is safer to store biometric data on a device like a phone that stores it with a service provider, even when the data is encrypted. However, using password databases carries the same risk. Hackers can quickly gain access and steal passwords. The plus point is that passwords can be changed occasionally, but biometric data cannot.
How can you protect the Biometric identity?
As you now know, there is a potential risk even with the biometrics data; there has to be a way to protect them. When a system requires multiple authentications, unauthorized access is difficult. An example is life detection and matching encoded samples to users within an encrypted domain. Some systems also require additional features like age, gender, and height in biometric data to protect them more.
Some companies require all ten fingerprints to authenticate, which is a more trusted way of providing a more secure biometrics system. This system is linked to an identification card, and the card can be made mandatory for each person to access the nominated services. Also, Biometrics is a suitable replacement for user names in two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is a potent combination for better protection.
In conclusion, Biometrics is a prevalent and fast-growing method of cyber security systems. The combination of the physical and the behavioral features makes it the most robust way of authentication. It is far better than using character-based passwords or standalone verification systems. Biometrics, though they have their flaws, is a more convenient and hard-to-disciplination way. It will develop into a more reliable system in the future.
