A new technology called Biometrics has emerged in the banking industry. A biometric system is a method of identification and authentication that uses a unique data pattern to identify a person. The different types of biometric systems available in the banking industry include fingerprints, voice recognition, finger veins, Secure Element (SE), and iris scan. This article explains each one in detail. If you are looking to make a deposit or withdraw cash in a bank, biometrics can prove to be an excellent choice.
Voice recognition is a biometric system
Many financial services companies are looking at voice biometrics as a potential replacement for traditional knowledge-based authentication methods. While the importance of user vigilance cannot be overstated, the current security measures are not strong enough. Even financial institutions must conduct awareness campaigns and educate customers on how to protect their information. However, scammers are always looking for new ways to gain access to personal information, so it is crucial to keep passwords secure and change them frequently.
As a result, banks are integrating voice biometric systems into their authentication systems to prevent identity fraud. While voice biometrics will require users to provide fewer speech samples than traditional authentication methods, they are already being used in several settings. Many of these applications are based on science fiction movies that featured talking machines. In addition, voice biometrics can protect users against impersonations and other threats associated with fraud.
Fingerprint
The growing popularity of voice recognition and touch ID fingerprint reading sensors has made fingerprint biometrics an increasingly popular biometric technology in the banking industry. This system passively captures your voice from your normal conversation, without the need for scripted phrases. Voice recognition is a convenient, safe, and fast way to prove your identity. Moreover, mobile applications that scan fingerprints can digitize them within seconds. In addition to these benefits, fingerprint recognition is also a cost-effective method to prove your identity, and can be implemented at any time.
Banks that have adopted fingerprint biometrics include Standard Chartered, a global banking institution with over 1100 full service branch locations in the United States and more than 220 offices in Asia and Africa. The bank has already implemented fingerprint biometrics in some of its mobile banking apps, including the Apple Touch ID. The technology works by mapping the vein pattern beneath a person’s finger skin. The bank also confirmed that the biometric system is compatible with iPhones and Android devices.
Finger vein
For the past decade, finger vein biometrics have been used in ATMs and access control systems. The use of a near-infrared reader device enables this biometric authentication method to be used as the primary authentication method or as a secondary factor in multi-factor authentication. Despite its high-tech benefits, it has some drawbacks. First, it can be inaccurate and prone to human error. Second, finger vein biometrics can be impractical or even impossible to maintain.
A portable finger vein scanner, the size of a tennis ball, uses near-infrared light to capture a unique vein pattern on a person’s finger. This vein pattern is stored as a template and used for identity verification. This technique eliminates the possibility of counterfeiting and offers convenience and accuracy similar to iris scanning. Bank BPH has investigated various biometric technologies and selected Finger vein biometrics system from Hitachi Europe Ltd., Wincor Nixdorf, and other companies.
Secure Element (match on SE)
In banks, a fingerprint authentication is used to verify the cardholder user’s identity. However, typing a PIN code does not guarantee the correct verification outcome. The Secure Element (SE) stores biometric reference information and computes the verification decision. Moreover, it is equipped with an evaluation platform, which can be used to perform benchmarks and testing scenarios. This technology has been developed to solve the problems associated with biometric authentication.
A fingerprint authentication system requires a fingerprint sensor, a general-purpose microcontroller (MCU), and a secure element (SE). The secure element stores encrypted fingerprint data and performs the fingerprint match before a transaction. The fingerprint authentication system must overcome multiple challenges before it can be adopted by the banking industry. Here are some details on the Secure Element (SE) and its advantages:
Thales biometric payment cards
The emergence of contactless technology has led to a rapid evolution in payment cards. Thales is a trusted provider of biometric technologies, and pays particular attention to security when designing new solutions. Biometric payment cards combine contactless payment with biometric verification to offer enhanced security and convenience. Thales has been working with banks to help reinvent payment cards, and they have developed a contactless biometric card that meets the needs of consumers.
A new biometric payment card from Thales is designed to eliminate the risk of fraud, which can lead to identity theft. This card uses a fingerprint scanner to authenticate payments of over 50 Euros. Developed by a French company specializing in card technology, the Fingerprint Card has earned the approval of major EMV payment schemes. It has also been widely embraced by consumers in the UAE, where 97 percent of consumers plan to use biometric payment methods within a year.
Thales Secure Element
The bank is among many financial institutions that have already implemented the Thales Secure Element biometrics system. The system’s underlying server, the Gemalto Confirm Authentication Server, provides the industry’s most secure, versatile, and scalable authentication solution. The Thales Secure Element mobile secure messenger SDK provides integration and API access to backend components of the Gemalto IdCloud, and it can also be integrated into financial institutions’ existing mobile applications.
The embedded Secure Element is a tamper-proof autonomous element, combining dedicated silicon and secure OS. It can be embedded in any mobile device or computer and protects user data by ensuring that only authorised applications can access it. It also performs cryptographic operations, so it acts like an end-user’s personal ID. This secure solution is compatible with existing biometrics systems and is widely supported by leading smartphone manufacturers.