Biometric systems are present in almost all devices under their privacy settings for consumer and commercial use. While they are a faster alternative to traditional passwords, many users are still concerned about their usage and security risks. To make informed decisions about using this technology, it is important for users to understand the basics of biometric security systems, including their advantages and drawbacks, before relying on them for identity verification purposes.
Advantages
1) Alternative to Traditional Passwords
A large number of password breaches are reported globally each day. This is because most people set up simple and predictable passwords. It can also occur when an individual uses a single password for multiple accounts. A biometric solution solves this problem by replacing traditional phone security features (like passwords) with an authentic method that will be unique to each individual, such as fingerprints or facial scans, which are harder for malicious entities to penetrate.
2) Ease of Use
When a user is in a time crunch, they are more likely to face difficulty while remembering or resetting a password. For instance, when one forgets their banking login details, one might have to reset them, which is usually a lengthy process. Using the wrong password in a mobile banking app can lead to the user getting locked out of their account for a set timeframe, which is a much bigger issue to deal with. On the contrary, biometric authentication makes things simpler. Users can unlock the phone or access secure apps with safer authentication methods, including fingerprint and facial recognition.
3) Better Accountability
The benefit of biometric fingerprint locks or facial recognition in devices is that the data is unique to each individual. Whenever someone uses the biometric system, it maintains a detailed record of who accessed the device or network, with an accurate timestamp. In comparison, passwords can always be shared with other users or stolen. Biometric authentication is unique to each individual and cannot be replicated. This makes it easy to identify the concerned entity in case of a security breach or unauthorized access.
4) Increasing Popularity
Biometric systems are becoming widely popular in commercial settings. Most employers use these systems in the workplace to secure devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones. They are also used to record employee attendance. With more consumers and businesses using the technology, the biometric system continues to grow and become more secure, with regular updates and patches.
5) Cost Savings
Biometric systems also help businesses save costs. For instance, with lower password resets and IT support, an organization can reduce the resources spent resolving these issues. Moreover, the technology helps reduce data breaches, which can save an organization and its consumers from losing sensitive information and money.
Drawbacks
1) Privacy Concerns
Mobile security technologies, like biometric systems, are not a hundred percent secure. There are privacy concerns. For instance, since biometric data is personal, its collection and how it is stored and shared are debatable. Since biometric data is unchangeable, it cannot be reset or replaced like a password if compromised.
2) Data Security Risks
Though a biometric system is safe and more challenging to crack than a password, it is not impossible to hack. Experts have created demonstrations of various ways to trick biometric systems, like creating fake fingerprints with high-resolution images and 3D printing technology.
3) False Positives and False Negatives
Common issues like false positives and false negatives often deter users from using this digital identity protection system.
- A false positive is when a system incorrectly recognizes a user as another. For instance, in a workplace environment, a false positive may provide unauthorized access to confidential and sensitive information, leading to a data breach.
- A false negative is when the system denies access to a legitimate user. When a user gets locked out of their devices or accounts due to this, it may cause inconvenience, disruptions, and even security problems.
4) No Standardization
The wide range of biometric technologies, the fast-changing nature of algorithms, and the absence of standards that fit specific use cases and security needs contribute to a lack of standardization in biometric systems. Such inconsistencies can result in compatibility issues on devices and complicate the biometric systems with existing infrastructures. For example, the biometric data system used by one company or consumer on a particular device might not be compatible with another. This leads to a lapse in security measures. Even the quality of biometric sensors can vary, potentially impacting the reliability and precision of the authentication process.
5) Accessibility Complications
While most biometric systems are known for user-friendliness, not everyone can use them effectively. For instance, people with limitations that affect their facial or fingerprint features may find a biometric system challenging. Furthermore, due to age-related changes, seniors may find it difficult to set up, use, or reset biometric systems. For example, a fingerprint could become less distinct with age, making the scanning process less effective.
