Biometrics are unique physical characteristics, like fingerprints, faces and retinal blood vessel patterns. Unlike passwords and PINs, they are impossible to lose or steal.
They are harder to fake or transfer than traditional passwords and pins, making them a promising security solution. However, they also present their own set of challenges and risks.
Identity Management
Biometrics provide a robust alternative to traditional security methods like passwords, which can be lost or stolen. They also have a high level of accuracy, and are difficult to fake or replicate. They are also a secure way to verify identity, especially in conjunction with two-factor authentication. While some people may be hesitant to use biometrics for cybersecurity purposes, the reality is that these technologies are already widely used in a variety of ways. For example, iris scanners and facial recognition systems are commonly used for access control, while fingerprint sensors can be found in mobile phones and personal computers. The technology is also being used in police investigations and medical procedures, such as DNA analysis or retinal scans. As these systems become more mainstream, it’s important to keep in mind the privacy concerns that surround them. After all, cybercriminals seek to steal as much personal data as possible. And while the data stored in a biometric system is encrypted, hackers can still gain access through security breaches.
For example, the 2015 hack of the US Office of Personnel Management exposed upwards of 5.6 million fingerprints for government employees. Other biometric data breaches have included ear shape and hand geometry, voice patterns and walking patterns. Biometrics can collect this data either actively, with a person’s knowledge and consent (like with consumer devices), or passively, without a user’s knowledge or consent (like in surveillance applications). For this reason, it’s vital that companies considering any measures that would require the collection of biometrics integrate privacy solutions into their plans from the very beginning.
Access Control
Biometrics are an increasingly popular method of replacing or augmenting passwords and security credentials. The technology can also be used to verify a user in high-risk situations, such as at the airport or when logging into an online banking account. These traits include physical characteristics like fingerprints, eyes and ear shape; behavioural attributes such as the way an individual walks or types on a keyboard; and biological data, such as heart (electrocardiogram) and brain patterns. These are collected either actively, with the user’s participation, or passively—with the device collecting intel without the user being aware, as in face recognition and voice verification.
A major benefit of using these traits is that they cannot be stolen or lost the way a password can, nor are they easily fooled by someone who knows the individual. Moreover, unlike physical keys and cards, biometrics are never compromised by wear and tear. As with any cybersecurity technology, the use of biometrics raises concerns. Biometrics can be used for purposes not intended, an issue known as “function creep.” They are also often combined with artificial intelligence, which could result in racial bias or other negative social impacts. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has prepared a primer on these technologies to help explain the risks and how they can be mitigated. It is important to understand how the biometrics are collected and stored in order to minimize the risk of these pitfalls.
Fraud Prevention
As we move into the digital age, biometrics are becoming more common in security. They are a more secure and convenient method for authenticating a person, especially compared to passwords or PIN codes that can be cracked. However, the same qualities that make biometrics a more secure authentication tool also pose certain vulnerabilities. For example, a hacker’s fingerprints could be stolen from a smartphone screen or a person’s face can be captured surreptitiously using new iris-based systems that record images of the eyes from up to two metres away. To be useful, a biometric trait must be captured at least once before, known as enrolment. The samples are then stored in a database to be matched against future captures. Because of this, it is important to ensure that a system’s enrolment process and access controls are robust and secure. Additionally, because it is not easy to fake or trick a biometric identifier, it makes the task of identity theft much more difficult for fraudsters compared to stealing a password or phishing a PIN code. For these reasons, it is crucial to build privacy into any initiative that involves the use of biometrics from the outset, rather than trying to add privacy measures on later. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner can help by conducting a privacy impact assessment or audit, which will highlight potential privacy risks to be addressed by an organization.
Cloud Security
Biometrics can help protect data in the cloud and protect it from malicious activities like hacking or malware. According to a survey by Spiceworks, 62 percent of companies are currently using some form of biometric authentication to safeguard on-premises and cloud-based data.
This method of security measures human characteristics to verify identity, access and authenticate transactions. Biometric technologies include fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, retina scans and voice identification. Biometrics are also a way to replace or augment traditional password systems for computers, phones, restricted areas or buildings. Morphological biometrics involve the structure of your body like your eye, face or fingerprints and behavioral biometrics are based on patterns like how you walk or type on a keyboard. While this technology can improve cybersecurity, it does have some drawbacks that must be considered.
For example, if a biometric like a fingerprint or an iris scan is duplicated, it is easy to access your device or account. However, modern devices have safeguards such as a ‘liveness’ test which prevents fake data from being used.While it is tempting to get rid of passwords completely and embrace biometrics, it is important for businesses to adopt this technology cautiously and in conjunction with traditional authentication methods. After all, hackers have proven to be more sophisticated and innovative than ever. So, it’s no surprise that cyber-attacks continue to grow and pose a threat to our digital world.