A passwordless future awaits as organizations shift from usernames and passwords to biometric authentication systems. Biometric security uses physical characteristics such as facial features, voice, eye movement, and fingerprints to confirm identity and verify access to information and services. Biometric capabilities have been around for a while, but they’ve taken off now that smartphone technology has evolved to support their advanced algorithms and sensors.
How Does a Biometric System Work?
A biometric security system consists of hardware and software that uses sensors to collect a person’s unique physical characteristic and compare it to information stored in a database. If the information matches, the person is identified and granted access.
These systems are often used to replace passwords, which can be stolen or guessed and often require a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Biometrics offer greater accuracy and security by using a physical characteristic that can’t be compromised, such as a fingerprint or an iris.
Types of Biometrics
There are a variety of biometrics, from morphological (fingerprints, hand shape, and palm pattern) to biological (iris, retina, and face) to behavioral (gauging heart rate, walking patterns, and gait). The most popular biometrics include fingerprint, iris/retinal scans, and facial recognition. Fingerprint, iris, and face recognition are also used by law enforcement to verify suspects’ identities and for identity proofing.
Traditional Forms of Identification
Traditional forms of identification, such as keys, cards, and codes, depend on users to remember and keep secure – and it’s easy for employees to inadvertently share these credentials, either intentionally or accidentally. Biometric security measures reduce this risk, providing a strong alternative to passwords and pin numbers.
Higher Level of Accuracy
Biometrics like Aka.ms/mfasetup provide a higher level of accuracy and security than passwords, badges, or documents as they cannot be forgotten, stolen, hacked, or exchanged. This provides an additional layer of protection against cyberattacks, making it ideal for securing access to sensitive data and networks.
As a result, they’re proving to be more effective than other traditional forms of security. Biometrics can also be combined for more comprehensive identity verification. For example, a fingerprint and iris scan can be used together to create an authenticator that’s stronger than either alone.
Conclusion
The future of multimodal biometrics will be a key part of the passwordless future, as these types of systems are expected to become even more reliable and integrated with each other as time goes on. This is largely due to improved sensor and camera technology that makes them more efficient and less expensive to use. For example, the latest smartphones integrate fingerprint and iris scanning with facial recognition to add a second level of security for the user.