What would you do if you found yourself with no cash, no card, no contact, and no access to your hotel reservation details upon your arrival at an international airport, in a foreign country miles away from home? You just realized your friend with an identical suitcase like yours mistakenly took yours which contained all the documents you need, and left hers which you traveled with.

Panic. 

That is what the average person would do. 

But what if there is a way to overcome this circumstance without breaking a sweat? 

This article will show how biometric authentication can help you circumvent and handle your transactions easily and comfortably. No need for boxloads of documents. No need to hassle avoidable situations with solutions like those from Youverify. Read on to understand what biometric authentication is, and how it can help you navigate life smoothly. 

What Is Biometric Authentication?

Biometric authentication is the use of unique biological features such as fingerprints, voices, retinas, facial features to verify the identity of a user.

What is Biometric Login?

Biometric login refers to using biometric data to gain access to a system, account or device.

Though all humans have common features, there are certain details - sometimes big and at other times small - that distinguish us. These features range from the iris or retina patterns to things like fingerprints, voice, and so on. 

A Biometric authentication system stores this data to confirm a user’s identity during account access. This method of biometric login is generally more secure than conventional multifactor authentication techniques.

Very intriguing right? Wait until you hear how the whole process works. 

How Does Biometric Authentication Work?

Biometric authentication works by making your body the password for different transactions you have in the digital space.  

That means that if you were in the scenario at the airport described at the airport at the beginning of this article, you could have no worries. With just your phone, you transfer money to your mobile wallet in seconds, access scanned copies of your passport and other means of identification,  and be settled while awaiting the arrival of your luggage. 

This whole process is possible with the use of sensors which detect and capture biometric traits. An example of this is the fingerprint scanner. 

Thereafter, there will be a feature extraction process which pick out that unique thing about you that no one else in the world has. It could be your facial geometry, fingerprint ridges and so on. 

The system then creates a mathematical template of your data (remember that computer uses a binary code which is made of zeros and ones) and stores it securely. 

With this biometric login in place, you can access your accounts and documents anywhere in the world with your body as the password. This means that when authentication is attempted (that is, if someone tries to log into your mobile bank account for instance), the system will compare the features of the person attempting to log in with the template that was stored. If there is a match, it will be successful. But if not, it will fail as access will be denied.

This is a very powerful tool, as it is only the person with the unique features that can access their own data. 

From these, you can see that the key components involved are simple and easy to trace. Let’s take a look at them. 

What Are The Key Components of Biometric Authentication?

There are three core components involved in biometric authentication. They are: 

1. Biometric Traits

Which could be physical or behavioural. In the physical biometric trait category, things like DNA, hand geometry, and fingerprints are analyzed. While in the behavioural category, things like gait analysis, typing rhythm, and voice recognition are considered. 

2. Enrollment Process

This process involves capturing and storing the biometric data received into a template. All future authentication attempts will have to be matched with this template created. 

3. Verification and Matching

Here the biometric system captures, compares, and matches the features being input in it. If there is a match, access is granted. If there is no match, access is denied. 

Types of Biometric Authentication Methods

1. Fingerprint Recognition
2. Facial Recognition
3. Voice Recognition
4. Iris Scanning
5. Retina Scanning
6. Behavioural biometrics

These different types of biometric authentication methods have been explained in detail in our Guide to Biometric Authentication Methods article.

What Are The Advantages of Biometric Authentication?

The advantages of biometric authentication are:

1. High Security

Because no two persons have the same unique features, these are harder to forge or replicate as traditional passwords or pins would have been.
 

2. Convenience

It is very easy to operate with. There is no need to remember passwords or carry keys and cards around. 

3. Fast and Efficient

Since the whole process is automated, the identification and authentication process is quick. No need for physical queues or long processes. 

4. Unique to Individuals

Biometrics are personal to each individual. Therefore, there is a great reduction in the risks of unauthorized access. 

Where Can Biometric Authentication Be Applied?

Biometric authentication is a very versatile process and can be used in different ways such as in personal devices such as phones, laptops, and healthcare for patient identification and access to medical records. 

Similarly, it can also be used to identify and keep out illegal immigrants in a country with things such as biometric passports, and effective border control systems.

Biometric authentication is a huge addition to any law enforcement system where it is used. With it, it is easy to identify and track down criminals. It can also be used for surveillance. This kind of system also ensures more effective security; that secure areas in buildings or restricted systems remain so, and are not easily accessible to everyone.
 

What’s more? 

You can keep your hard-earned money where you want it by using the biometric authentication system for your banking and financial transactions with ATMs and mobile banking Apps. 
 

With all these benefits of the biometric authentication system, what could possibly go wrong? What if someone finds a way to capture your unique features and use them for fraudulent activities or similar vices? What challenges could one face with this system?

Challenges Surrounding The Use of Biometric Authentication

Several things can go wrong with the biometric authentication system such as:

1. A Problem of Accuracy

Observable things such as skin conditions can affect the accuracy of biometric data captured. The kind of appliance used for capturing can also affect accuracy. For instance, a poor camera may produce poor lighting which can distort a person’s physical features. Things like lighting or skin conditions can affect the accuracy of the data captured. This is why it is important to work with an experienced RegTech establishment. 

2. Privacy Concerns

Though difficult, advanced attackers can replicate biometric data. Identity theft is also a common risk with biometric authentication where there is a breach in privacy.
 

3. Cost

Building a biometric system demands a lot of carefulness and finances. 

4. Storage and Security:

If stored templates are not encrypted, there can be unauthorized biometric login to biometric data.  

Since biometric authentication has these concerns, is it reliable? Are there things that can be implemented to make it more effective?

What Does The Future Hold For Biometric Authentication?

If certain things are put in place, biometric authentication should become much more secure and hard to breach. Some of the things to consider include: 

1. The use of Multimodal Biometrics: 

This is the combination of two or more biometric traits for enhanced security.

2. Integrating AI into the system. 

This will help improve recognition accuracy and make for easy adaptability to user changes over time. 

3. Contactless Biometrics: 

For hygiene purposes, the use of contactless biometrics should as facial recognition, iris scanning or voice recognition will make for efficient authentication.

4. Embedding biometric sensors in wearables such as smartwatches, and fitness bands will expand the scope biometric authentication covers.

Bottom Line

Biometric authentication offers a robust, secure, and user-friendly approach to identity verification. While it presents challenges related to privacy and security, advancements in technology and integration with AI promise to make it more reliable and widely applicable in the future. But even with these challenges, working with a knowledgeable and proven RegTech company like Youverify will make your process smoother. With their plethora of solutions, you have nothing to worry about. book a demo today.