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Think of a time when you unlocked your phone using your fingerprint or face – you were using biometrics without even realizing it. In the simplest terms, biometrics refers to the statistical analysis of physical or behavioral traits unique to an individual. This technology is utilized for identification and access control, creating a more personalized and secure user experience.
Biometric technology has come a long way since its inception. It's become an essential tool in our digital experiences and daily life. And it ensures that everyone can freely use their real identities in our interconnected digital and physical realms. Biometrics is brimming with potential — promising a future where security and convenience go hand in hand.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Mitch Goldenberg, Sales Director of Physical Access at Veridas, for an insightful chat on the Product Builders podcast. Join us as we dive into this incredible technology and its impact on our digital world.
Biometric traits can be either physical or behavioral. Physical biometrics include fingerprints, facial recognition, iris or retina recognition, and palm vein. Behavioral biometrics encompasses how individuals behave, including recognition of typing rhythm, gait, and voice. Uniquely identifiable patterns within these traits make them ideal for the automatic recognition of individuals.
Utilizing biometrics for identity verification involves several components and steps:
In a nutshell, biometric systems capture raw biometric data from an individual, such as a fingerprint image or voice recording. This data is then transformed into a biometric template using a complex mathematical algorithm. The template is subsequently stored and used for matching. And when identification is required, a new biometric data sample is captured and compared with the stored template for verification.
Goldenberg explains:
"There are parts of us that don't change over time, like fingerprints, palm veins, iris and other features of your face. Now, you might say, 'My face changes every year as I get older, or I can grow a beard or put on glasses.' Well, those facial features might change. But what we are capturing is a mathematical configuration of your face. We're basically taking a measurement, let's say, from the bridge of your nose to the middle of your eye or the edge of your nose to your ear — those things rarely change over a long period of time. This mathematical configuration is unique to you and only you."
Biometric technology brings a plethora of benefits to the table. It offers a highly secure means of verifying identity. Biometric traits are unique to each individual and, therefore, difficult to forge or steal. This drastically reduces the risk of identity theft and fraud compared to traditional verification methods like passwords and PINs, which can be easily compromised.
Secondly, biometrics is incredibly user-friendly. It provides a seamless user experience and offers a heightened level of convenience and hospitality, unlike other forms of identity verification. Individuals can scan their fingerprint or face to gain access, eliminating the need to remember complex passwords or carry cards or keys. This intuitive interface's speed and accuracy make biometrics a preferred choice for many modern-day applications.
It's also highly scalable and versatile. It can be applied effectively in various sectors, from healthcare, banking, law enforcement, and consumer electronics. And technological advancements have significantly improved biometric systems' speed, accuracy, and reliability.
"Biometrics is the future of identity verification and access control. It is more secure, convenient and accurate than traditional methods."
Biometric technology has a wide array of applications across various sectors. In digital product design, you can use it to create personalized user experiences. For instance, biometric data can be used to customize interfaces, recommend products, or even predict user behavior.
In the realm of security, biometric technology is a game-changer. It's used for secure access control in buildings, computers, and mobile devices. Biometric authentication methods like fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are now commonplace in smartphones and laptops.
The healthcare industry is also leveraging biometrics for patient identification, reducing the risk of medical errors. Interestingly, biometrics is making waves in the world of finance too. Banks and financial institutions are using biometric authentication for secure banking transactions. Some even use behavioral biometrics like typing rhythm or mouse movement to detect fraudulent activity.
As biometric technology continues to evolve and improve, it has the potential to be used in new and innovative ways. Goldenberg predicts that we will see more widespread use of facial recognition for gaining access to airports, trains, stadiums, data centers, casinos and corporate buildings.
He also highlights other uses of the technology:
"Once verification is made and the identification is completed, we can run that person against a list of money launderers. It's called the AML, or anti-money laundering list. So we are protecting the world's economy and financial infrastructure against money laundering. And there are several other applications to accomplish other functions. For example, with sex offenders and the National Sex Offender watch list, if there's an institution that wants to be careful about who they let in, like a school or a daycare, we can protect them against people that shouldn't be there."
Despite its many advantages, biometric technology has its challenges. One of the biggest challenges facing biometric technology is user privacy and fear. Biometric data is extremely sensitive as it is linked to an individual's physical and behavioral characteristics. It's no surprise collecting, storing, and using such data raises serious privacy concerns. And people fear what they don't understand — biometric technology is no exception.
Goldenberg explains that biometric technology is entirely secure. Their system creates a mathematical vector from an image of a person's face rather than taking and storing a person's picture. This vector file is then used for verification. And the original file is deleted from the cloud once the data is delivered to the company that licensed the product.
Inclusivity and diversity are also significant concerns for biometric technology. Our population is diverse, and everyone has unique physical traits, which can sometimes cause issues for biometrics. Unequal representation in datasets can lead to biased outcomes, affecting specific demographics disproportionately. Age, gender, and physical disabilities can also affect the accuracy of biometrics. Fortunately, the more people who enter the biometric ecosystem, the more the technology improves. With each verification, the technology learns and becomes more inclusive.
Lastly, there is the challenge of integration. Incorporating biometric technology into existing systems can be complex and expensive. It requires careful planning and execution to ensure seamless integration without disrupting existing processes. Collaborative efforts between biometric experts, system developers, and stakeholders become vital in navigating this integration maze.
While biometrics offers numerous benefits, it's crucial to understand that the technology is not infallible. It is a complex field that requires sound knowledge and skills. As with any new technology, education and training are critical to its successful implementation.
Designers, developers, and end-users need to be educated about the strengths and limitations of biometric technology. This includes understanding the principles of biometrics, the different biometric systems, and how to effectively use and manage them. Proper training can also help overcome any reluctance or apprehension toward the technology.
Moreover, ongoing training is crucial, given the rapid advancements in biometric technology. Staying updated with the latest developments will ensure that individuals and organizations can reap the maximum benefits of biometrics.
Goldenberg says, "We need to educate people on how biometric technology works and how it can be used to improve security and convenience. We also need to provide training to ensure that the technology is implemented correctly and that people understand how to use it."
Education also applies to the general population and end users. As end users better grasp how biometrics work and its importance, they will become more comfortable adapting to the technology. Educating users about the ins and outs of biometrics empowers them to use it confidently and responsibly. It's like giving them the key to unlock the full potential of this incredible technology while ensuring they understand its limitations and possible challenges. With knowledge comes confidence, and with confidence comes a seamless integration of biometrics into our daily lives.
Despite these challenges, the future of biometrics looks promising. With artificial intelligence and machine learning advancements, biometric systems are becoming more accurate and reliable. We will likely see more innovative uses of biometrics in the coming years, including the development of digital identity wallets and age verification technology.
Digital identity wallets aim to give individuals more control and ownership over their data, allowing for a more secure and seamless digital interaction across multiple platforms. Age verification technology will be used for verifying age for entry into casinos, purchasing alcohol and loan applications. Facial biometric QR codes are another innovative development allowing users to maintain and control their self-sovereign identity conveniently.
Biometrics could also play a vital role in developing smart cities, enhancing security and personalization. We may also see increased use of multimodal biometrics, combining multiple biometric traits for improved accuracy. Furthermore, continuous biometric authentication could become a reality with the rise of wearable technology.
Biometric technology could revolutionize how we verify identities and control access. These innovative solutions enhance security and convenience while protecting privacy and inclusivity. As technology evolves and improves, we expect widespread adoption and new applications in various industries.
If you're eager to learn more and have some burning questions, give us a shout! We're always here to help.
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