What exactly is biometrics?

Beyond just a tech buzzword, Biometrics are revolutionizing how we think about security, identity verification, and user experience. As businesses, understanding the ins and outs of this technology can empower you to offer enhanced security and convenience to your customers.

Let's dive into the most burning questions you've had about Biometrics, unraveling the mystery bit by bit.

Q1: What exactly is Biometrics?

A: According to ISO 2382-37, Biometrics are "the automatic recognition of individuals on the basis of their biological and behavioral characteristics." In other words, Biometrics are our unique physical and behavioral traits that tech uses to confirm it's really us. Think of them as digital fingerprints, from actual fingerprints to facial patterns or voice waves. They're a secure key to our digital lives, ensuring only we can access our personal spaces. The beauty of Biometrics lies in their uniqueness; no two individuals share the same biometric data, making it a highly secure form of identification and verification.

Q2: Are biometric data secure?

A: Absolutely! Biometric systems are built on the foundation of safeguarding your privacy, with features that allow you to control how your data is used and shared. It’s all about providing security that matches the uniqueness of the data it protects.

Q3: How accurate is biometric Technology?

A: Biometric technology is the sharpshooter of the digital world, boasting accuracy that exceeds 99.9999%. This accuracy is crucial not just for convenience but for security, minimizing the risk of mistaken identity or unauthorized access.

When comparing faces of different people, biometric accuracy reaches 99.9999%, while only 0.5% of cases where faces of the same person are compared are rejected.

Q4: Do biometric algorithms outperform humans in accuracy?

A: Since 2014, studies have shown that the accuracy of biometric algorithms is greater than that of people when it comes to recognizing faces. The process involves showing two photos to somebody and asking them whether they think they are of the same person or not. This was done as far back as 2014 with thousands of photos, showing that people had an accuracy of 97.53%, while the algorithms have an accuracy of over 99%.

Q5: How do biometric engines operate?

A: At their core, biometric engines are like digital artists, painting a unique picture of our physical or behavioral traits. They analyze detailed patterns and structures, converting them into a digital form that can be easily and securely recognized. This process involves sophisticated Artificial Intelligence algorithms that learn and adapt, improving their accuracy and reliability over time.

Q6: Will my photo be used to train biometric engines?

A: No. You can rest easy. The biometric engines deployed in products do not need to be trained with your face to work correctly. Once they have been trained, biometric engines can distinguish whether two photos correspond to the same person without the need to have seen them before!

If biometric engine manufacturers want to use your photos to improve their system, they must ask for your permission.

Q7: Can facial biometric systems be used to track people in public?

A: Unfortunately, Yes. It’s a type of use that infringes on people’s privacy. The key to the use of biometrics is the explicit consent of the person who is going to use it.

Europe is leading the charge in regulating such uses, moving towards banning non-consensual biometric identification in public spaces, except in strictly regulated situations where public safety is at risk. This approach aims to balance technological advances with the fundamental right to privacy.

Q8: What if my biometric data is stolen?

A: Biometric systems are designed with security at their heart, meaning that even in the unlikely event of data theft, the information would be virtually impossible to misuse outside of its specific context. If the attacker tries to use the stolen photo in another service, certified ISO 30107 proof-of-life technologies will prevent them from being successful. This is because biometric data, when stored, is transformed into a secure format that's not decipherable or usable in any other system.

Q9: Can I opt out of using biometrics?

A: Absolutely. The choice is yours. While biometrics offer a seamless and secure way to verify identity, alternatives like PINs, passwords, or smart cards are always available. It's about providing options that cater to everyone's comfort level and privacy preferences.

Remember, in this digital age, understanding biometrics isn't just smart; it's essential.

If you want to dive into modern biometrics, get now a free demo with us.