Biometric Recognition – Secure, Password-free Digital Identity Verification

Since the 1800s, biometrics have been used as a security measure starting from identifying criminals through their body parts. Fingerprints were also seen as characteristics that symbolize individual personalities.

After continuous enhancements and developments, biometric recognition has come a long way and is now applied in various organizations. Integration of AI has further improved biometric screening processes with predictive analytics. Applications of biometrics range from mobile devices all the way to organizations and airports.

Introduction to Biometrics 

The expected market size of biometric technology in 2025 is $68.6 billion. This indicates the popularity of biometric recognition systems which is due to the ease provided to the end-users. Considering facial recognition, in particular, nothing seems to be more popular than the convenience of scanning faces and verifying the individual within a few seconds.

Moreover, with an average of 100 passwords per user, there are high chances of forgotten passwords. However, biometric recognition is a secure authentication measure using biological characteristics and provides much better security compared to passwords as the captured data is encrypted and difficult to hack.

Fingerprint Verification

Fingerprint verification is a widely adopted security authentication measure in smartphones and offices. This effective biometric recognition technique uses unique patterns in fingerprints to verify identities. In older applications, fingerprints were used in place of signatures on hard copies. 

Now there are various use cases of this form of biometric recognition in businesses and at airports for verifying passengers’ identities. Banks and government institutions also deploy biometric fingerprint verification to verify the identity of their customers. These security protocols are proving to be increasingly useful in the pandemic-struck businesses where online platforms are being used to ensure social distancing.

Contactless Biometric Recognition

As a result of the health hazards caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the WHO (World Health Organization) introduced several regulations for the usage of masks and social distancing. Considering this situation, fingerprint scanners in widely used public checkpoints became useless because direct contact would transmit the virus from one person to another. 

Due to the problems faced by airports and public places in verifying individuals’ identities, fingerprint verification was replaced with a facial recognition system. This contactless biometric recognition system allows the verification of users online with the use of sophisticated AI technology. Several digital business platforms implement biometric facial recognition to avoid becoming victims of online identity theft.

Additionally, the rising number of transactions being made by customers through online platforms is putting them at risk. Businesses strive to provide the best possible services, and securing customer transactions are also an important aspect. Biometric recognition with facial scans allows companies to provide assurance to their customers and prevent fraudulent transactions.

Use Cases of Biometric Security

Security Locks and Logins

Biometric security is widely adopted by organizations as a necessary means of security. Biometric facial recognition and fingerprints are used to authorize access at entry points and are replacing usernames/passwords for logging into office systems. Also, online transactions through mobile banking apps are secured with biometric recognition to allow only legitimate customers to proceed.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry needs biometric recognition to secure patient accounts as well as the internal operations involving medical staff. Patient records are a sensitive matter and need protection from fraudsters who manipulate records to obtain illegal drug prescriptions. This can have adverse effects as altered reports can harm the patient’s health and the reputation of the health institute is also at stake.

Travel Industry

As indicated earlier, biometric identity verification systems are used in inter-city travel at airports and train stations. Passengers are required to undergo facial recognition to verify their identity at certain checkpoints. 

E-commerce and E-learning

Biometric recognition is applied in e-learning and e-commerce websites to prevent unauthorized users from accessing services. This also saves time for the convenience of legitimate customers and eliminates the hassle of remembering complex passwords.

In addition to the mentioned applications, biometric facial recognition is also used in preventing crime with CCTV cameras in organizations and shopping malls, etc. In relation to the previously implemented identity verification systems, biometric recognition is foolproof and tough to overcome with data encryption.

Final Thoughts

To wrap it up, biometric screening has emerged as a definitive security system and is popularly adopted by organizations around the world. It not only helps companies prevent fraud by improving security but also provides convenience to customers.

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