How can you use biometric authentication to improve IAM security?

1 Choose the right biometric factors

Not all biometric factors are equally suitable for IAM security. You need to consider the accuracy, usability, availability, and cost of different biometric factors, as well as the context and purpose of the authentication. For example, fingerprint scanning may be convenient and reliable for unlocking a smartphone, but not for accessing a remote server. Similarly, face recognition may be easy and fast, but not very secure in low-light or crowded environments. You should choose the biometric factors that match your security requirements and user expectations.

2 Implement a multi-factor authentication scheme

Biometric authentication alone is not enough to ensure IAM security. Biometric factors can still be compromised, spoofed, or stolen by hackers or malicious insiders. To add an extra layer of security, you should implement a multi-factor authentication (MFA) scheme that combines biometric factors with other factors, such as passwords, tokens, or codes. MFA can make it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access to your systems and data, as they would need to obtain multiple credentials from different sources.

3 Protect biometric data

Biometric data is sensitive and personal information that needs to be protected from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. You should follow the best practices for storing, encrypting, and transmitting biometric data, such as using secure databases, hashing algorithms, and communication protocols. You should also comply with the relevant laws and regulations regarding biometric data privacy and security, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). You should inform your users about how you collect, use, and share their biometric data, and obtain their consent before doing so.

4 Educate users

User awareness and education are essential for improving IAM security with biometric authentication. You should provide your users with clear and consistent instructions on how to enroll, use, and update their biometric factors, and how to report any issues or incidents. You should also educate your users about the benefits and risks of biometric authentication, and how to protect their biometric data from theft or misuse. You should encourage your users to adopt good security habits, such as using strong passwords, avoiding phishing emails, and locking their devices.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?