It's no secret that the technology industry has advanced significantly over the past few years. Every piece of technology it has produced is more cutting-edge than the last. Often, each piece of tech is only useful in one particular industry. 5G networks, for instance, shine the brightest in the telecommunications sector, but it’s completely obsolete, perhaps, even detrimental, in the aviation industry.
However, the tech sector occasionally creates innovations that are useful or, at the very least, have some application in every sector. Biometric security is one example.
Biometric security: What Is It?
Biometric security is a type of protection where a person's biological data is used as a security system's authentication component. Any information that a system requests from users in order to confirm their identity and later provide authorisation is referred to be an authentication factor.
Since biological information is frequently specific to a user, using it as an authentication element is a great idea. By using this technique, unauthorised breaches become less likely. Simply put, it takes a fresh approach to security. But there is still a great deal to learn about the technology beyond its fundamental capabilities. To discover more about biometric security, continue reading.
1. Various Biometric Security Methods
In general, there are five main categories of biometric security equipment. Let's examine each type in turn:
Finger identification
facial identification
Iris identification
retinal identification
Recognition of voice
The type of biological information or biometrics that each type requires from the user is the primary distinction between them. Thus, as implied by their names, they require the user's voice, iris, retina, face features, or fingerprints. Each type has a unique set of advantages and disadvantages.
To maximise their security, organisations typically combine multiple types. A company’s database, for example, may require both the fingerprints and voice of an authorised person.
2. Benefits Of Biometric Security
There were other forms of security available before biometric security. Examples include two-factor authentication and physical security. These are among many additional security measures that are all very good. But compared to other security options, biometric security has advantages. These consist of:
The creation of biological measures (biometrics) is challenging and occasionally impossible. For example, fingerprints are more difficult to "steal" than access cards or keys.
It makes it less likely to lock oneself out. Forgetting your password frequently results in you being locked out of your phone or account. Interestingly, personal accounts aren't the only ones where things like this happen. Additionally, issues occasionally occur to corporate systems, but this time there are significant stakes involved. Such events are less likely thanks to biometric security because there is no need to memorise one's biometrics.
Physical security is less convenient than biometric security. For your information, physical security is the kind of security where access to a system involves tangible objects like cards, keys, or other items. This kind of challenge has the drawback that it can be annoying if you fail to bring the necessary object. You don't need to carry anything with you for biometric security because the "object" is you—more specifically, your body.
As you can see, biometric security became common in numerous businesses for a reason.
3. Problems With Biometric Security
It's crucial to remember that biometric security has its shortcomings. Although it may be argued that it is more advanced than alternatives, it also has drawbacks. Here are a few instances:
People whose biometrics are affected by medical issues might not be able to take advantage of biometric security. A biometric security system, for instance, might not accurately record the biometrics of people with eye conditions or unusually dark iris colours.
Selfies or other images that include the required biometrics can be used to easily mislead inadequate biometric security systems. However, it's important to note that if the biometric system is properly constructed, a feature that prevents such an exploit should exist.
The precision isn't perfect. The camera sensor's cleanliness and exposure to sunlight can both have an impact on how accurately the system detects objects. However, all security systems have this flaw, it must be said.
Despite how amazing it may seem, biometric security nevertheless has its drawbacks. Because of this, experts frequently urge businesses to incorporate additional forms of protection to counteract the shortcomings of biometric security rather than depending solely on it.
4. Real-World Uses For Biometric Security
Although biometric technology has been around since the 1960s, it wasn't until lately that it started to be widely used as a security measure. However, it already has a wide range of applications.
Here are a few instances of its practical usage in various industries:
Military technologies are now capable of identifying allies and foes based on their biometrics.
To ensure that only the owner, partners, contractors, and workers have access to sensitive information, corporations deploy biometric security systems.
Customers' biometric data may occasionally be needed for commercial uses.
In order to protect patient data from malevolent individuals, healthcare systems may need biometric information from beneficiaries or patients.
To prevent people who are not travellers from boarding, travel agencies use biometric security.
Previously only seen in spy movies, biometric security is now a common type of security in many different businesses. In fact, you probably utilise your smartphone's biometric security every day. For many years to come, you can anticipate that technology will spread more widely.
Major Points
In the coming years, one of the most often employed security techniques will probably be biometric security. It's possible that you'll run across it while using apps, travelling, or going to work. So it makes sense to start learning about it today. Hopefully, this article has provided you with enough background information to understand the basics of biometric security and what it can do.