Biometrics on the rise

Biometrics are an increasingly integral part of the world’s digital security fabric, but it’s their convenience and efficiency that are driving adoption. 

Biometrics are fast finding their way into almost every part of our everyday lives.

We use them daily to unlock our phones and computers. For many national digital identity (NDI) systems, they are the main binding ingredient. They enable secure online banking and remote account onboarding, are increasingly being adopted in the healthcare and travel sectors, and are used for contactless shopping check-out and physical access to smart homes, offices, and stadiums.

As digital identity systems become more common and biometrics-enabled devices become the norm, their use in augmenting traditional online authentication methods will only increase - perhaps eventually replacing today’s existing methods altogether.

It is useful then, to look at the risks and benefits of this growing field of technology, to understand how we can best manage their place in our everyday environment.

The Benefits of Biometrics

From a user experience perspective, biometrics provide a high level of convenience and efficiency. Individuals can authenticate themselves quickly and easily, often with just a fingerprint, palm or facial scan, eliminating the need to remember complex passwords or carry physical identity documents.

Hold your phone up to your face, and it’s unlocked - quick and easy. Stare into a screen at immigration - no fumbling for passport, boarding pass, hotel reservation - and you’re through the border. How convenient is that?

Companies that integrate biometrics into their authentication workflows benefit from  streamlined operations, eliminating steps while increasing security. And the contactless nature of some biometric options are particularly advantageous in our post-Covid world requiring increased hygiene and minimal physical interaction.

But while reduced friction is one of the biggest factors in the acceptance of biometrics, the factors driving implementation are mostly security-related.

The security benefits of biometrics are extremely compelling. Biometrics offer a high level of security by relying on unique physical and behavioural traits that are difficult to replicate or forge. This uniqueness makes biometric authentication far more secure than traditional methods like passwords or PINs, which can be forgotten, and easily stolen, or hacked.

Biometric systems significantly reduce fraud by ensuring that the individual claiming an identity is indeed who they say they are. This level of trust is critical in digital interactions, especially in today’s AI-saturated world.

While the initial deployment of biometric systems can be expensive, the long-term savings are substantial and make the investment worthwhile. Reduced instances of fraud, lower operational costs related to password management, and streamlined user experiences contribute to overall cost-effectiveness.

And while acknowledging these benefits, we must also acknowledge that the deployment of biometrics comes with significant risks that must be addressed and carefully managed.

The Risks of Biometrics

Just like passwords or pins, biometric data can indeed be stolen, replicated, or manipulated - though it is much more difficult to do so. Stolen biometric data can lead to biometric spoofing via synthetic or fake biometrics, enabling impersonation and unauthorised access to systems or facilities secured by biometric authentication.

Privacy concerns related to biometrics are paramount, as biometric data is highly personal and sensitive, and unauthorised access or breaches can lead to severe violations of privacy.The misuse of biometric systems can result in unauthorised surveillance and tracking of individuals without their consent. This ‘function creep’ is one of the bigger concerns, since once biometrics are deployed, there is the potential misuse of the biometric data for unintended purposes, such as mass surveillance or tracking individuals without their consent.

The centralised storage of biometric data is another risk, as these databases can become targets for government overreach or abuse.

Bias in biometric systems is another critical issue. Algorithmic bias can lead to higher error rates for specific demographic groups, resulting in unfair treatment and exclusion. Ethical and legal concerns also arise, particularly regarding informed consent and compliance with various national and international regulations governing the use of biometric data.

Biometrics going Forward

The biometrics technology space is continuously evolving, with rapid advancements in accuracy, speed, and security. Implementations involving biometrics are being bolstered by anti-spoofing algorithms, strict access controls and encryption protocols, regular audits and penetration testing, robust encryption methods, and continuous monitoring.

Regulatory frameworks and implementation strategies are also improving to ensure the safe and ethical use of biometrics. Innovations in technology are enhancing privacy protections and cost-effectiveness, making biometrics a more viable solution across various applications.

But while better than existing authentication methods, biometrics are not infallible and are best used as part of a multi-factor authentication process, including some form of liveness detection that helps determine whether the biometrics being presented are real.

The ultimate acceptance of biometrics will come from the public, whose perception, and eventual acceptance of, is crucial for their successful deployment. General mistrust or resistance from the public will hinder adoption and effectiveness.

We must, therefore, insist on the responsible adoption of biometrics, ensuring transparency, security, and respect for privacy. It is important to employ biometrics in a limited, constrained manner within highly regulated environments. Striking the right balance between the benefits of enhanced security and convenience and the risks of privacy invasion and bias, is essential for the responsible and ethical deployment of biometric systems.