7 Recent Trends in Biometrics Technology
In today’s digital world, managing several online accounts is hard and we try to do everything to keep our accounts safe. Identity thefts are for real and we are all equally vulnerable thanks to the various loopholes in traditional password-based authentication systems.
Biometrics technology enables us to identify individuals based on their biological information and is redefining security systems faster than ever. Organisations are now turning to biometrics technology to ensure the safety of their customers’ accounts from hackers. It has found wide acceptance in banking and government systems which store sensitive user data.
Not Just Fingerprinting
Biometrics technology has gone beyond the traditional fingerprint verification and now includes other biological features that are universal, unique, permanent and easily collectible. From physical characteristics like iris scan, facial recognition, finger vein scan, hand geometry and retinal scan to behavioral characteristics like voice recognition, signatures, and the like, biometrics technology has evolved to suit specific needs.
Multiple Biometric Inputs
Although fingerprint authentication is widely used it also has some loopholes. In the case of laborers who work in harsh conditions, it was found that with time their fingerprints fade or get erased. Also, it is possible for miscreants to copy the fingerprint on dummy fingers and get access. Hence, most sensitive systems are deploying a combination of biometric inputs to close the gaps. India’s Aadhaar card for example stores both the fingerprint and iris scan to identify individuals. Therefore, this makes it difficult to issue fraudulent cards or create copies. Multiple biometric inputs is one of the major trends in biometrics technology.
Industry Specific Biometrics
With several biometric inputs available for use, identity management solutions are being developed to suit the specific industry needs. For example, a growing number of hospitals are opting for contactless biometrics to address hygiene issues. Contactless biometrics make use of characteristics that do not need physical contact with the measuring device like iris scan and facial recognition.
Mobile Biometrics
Smartphones are now coming equipped with sensors needed to support biometric authentication. Samsung galaxy tab Iris, launched in India in May 2016 has a built in iris recognition sensor. It is also the first commercial device that will be compatible with the Aadhaar database. Such devices will give rise to several new age apps that not only secure your phone but can be used in several other programs. They are particularly useful when biometric authentication cannot be done in an office but out on the field. In the coming future, these devices will be equipped with more biometric sensors than today and will reveal how much more our devices can do for us. Mobile biometrics will thus drive the trends in biometrics technology.
New Ways of Banking
Smartphones are set to replace your wallets and cheque books. Banks are coming up with new ways of securely withdrawing money, making payments and managing your accounts through their mobile apps. A bank in India has recently launched an ATM that uses biometrics (powered by Aadhaar) for authentication.
Rise of Fintechs
The number of startups in the Fintech (financial technology) space have risen considerably in India. They also contribute to the rise in trends in biometrics technology. All thanks to Aadhar that uses multiple biometrics to authenticate the users. With the launch of latest devices and an increasing number of customers that have a smartphone and an Aadhar card, the financial ecosystem is all set to achieve financial inclusion. This will benefit a vast majority of previously untapped customer segment. MoneyTap is one such upcoming fintech startup. This innovative mobile app gives you money on demand in partnership with banks and NBFCs. Your credit line gets approved within minutes and funds are made available on your phone within 24 hours.
Enterprise-wide SSO
Big companies are realising the difficulty faced by their employees in remembering complicated passwords for different portals/systems within the company. Employees invariably resort to writing the passwords in their diaries, sticky notes or saving on the computers. They also sharing them with other users. To combat these and othersecurity loopholes, companies are steering towards an enterprise-wide SSO (single sign on). This process uses biometrics instead of passwords.