Biometric security is a type of security that verifies people’s physical or behavioural features to identify them. It is the most powerful and accurate physical security technology currently used for Biometric identity verification.
Automated recognition systems use biometrics, which is unique physical identifiers. The veins in your palm, the minutiae of your fingerprints, and the shape and pattern of your iris, for example, are all biometric identifiers that are unique to you.
What's Covered Below?
Why is biometric security so important?
Data security mechanisms such as keys and passwords are no longer sufficient. Passwords, in reality, are a major security flaw in a company’s security system because they are easily shared and cracked.
Biometric security systems are increasingly being recognized for their merits in securing physical surroundings and securing computers and commercial assets. Unauthorized personnel must be prevented from accessing security networks and systems in business buildings.
Moreover, due to compliance rules, only a certain person should have access to sensitive data, and workflow processes must be followed. Passwords aren’t good for sensitive data because coworkers can share them. Organizations can instead employ biometrics to control access to servers and computers.
Companies that deploy biometric security systems can benefit from an extremely high accuracy and unrivalled data security. Fingerprints, retinal scans, and iris patterns provide completely distinct data sets when properly acquired. Automatic identification may be conducted uniformly, rapidly, and without training when an employee or user is enrolled in a biometric security system.
How do biometric systems work?
Biometric security is becoming increasingly important in modern life. Physical traits, including siblings and even twins, are distinct and fixed. Password systems for phones, computers, and restricted locations can be replaced (or, at the very least, supplemented) with a person’s biometric identity.
The system maintains a person’s biometric data when gathered and matched to be matched with subsequent access attempts. Biometric data is usually encrypted before being saved on the device or a remote server.
Biometrics scanners are pieces of hardware that collect physical characteristics for identity verification and authentication. The hardware’s scans are compared to the saved database, and access is permitted or denied depending on whether a match is detected.
Biometrics has two primary advantages: they are convenient and difficult to imitate. While such systems aren’t without flaws, they hold enormous promise for the future of cybersecurity.
Applications of biometric security systems
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the places where biometrics are currently being used — some may be recognizable to you, while others may surprise you.
1. Banking
Biometrics such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and voice verification is used by many banks that have mobile apps.
2. Workplace security
Many businesses are increasingly incorporating biometric authentication into their access control and time tracking systems.
Single sign-on is a type of authentication in which a user uses a single ID and password to log into numerous software applications.
3. Device security
Biometric authentication has been integrated into iOS and Android smartphones in recent years.
4. Security of money
Payment security using biometrics. This technology is used in transaction authorization processes, and, for the time being, it usually entails a fingerprint scan.
5. In-house Security
After scanning equipment has validated an individual’s identification, biometric technology can allow them to enter a home.
