More than 70% of Americans have already used biometric technology in one form or another. For example, a biometric authentication technology like fingerprint scanning or facial recognition is widely used in the U.S. Today.
However, although these technologies are increasingly common, they aren’t widely adopted by businesses. In fact, many companies face “cyber security debts”, according to industry security groups.
And one of the best ways to address a cyber security debt with with biometric authentication.
Biometric authentication offers numerous benefits. It can reduce manual errors, protect businesses against deep fakes, and help prevent the latest cyber security threats.
Ultimately, businesses should find ways to integrate biometrics into their identity security stacks. This guide explores how biometrics is changing industry and what companies can do to prepare.
The Future of Biometric Technology
Technology is progressing rapidly, and more business is moving online. And that’s changing how identity is verified online and in-store.
Traditional identification methods, such as certificates, security or electronic cards, and keys, all have flaws. Anyone could gain access to the data by possessing these ID verification documents.
However, there’s been a shift toward biometric authentication, e.g. fingerprint or facial scans, for example.
This technology promises enhanced security and convenience. Yet, even biometric authentication is progressing, with newer, more innovative ways to verify users. Think iris recognition, voice authentication, and behavioral biometrics solutions.
For instance, industries such as law enforcement, government agencies, immigration offices, or healthcare can identify users and conduct contactless identification using facial recognition. Also, many industries, like banking and finance, can use voice authentication to add a layer of security.
Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning is further changing the future of biometrics by enhancing security and accuracy. Ultimately, these tools are making the online world more secure.
The Future of Biometric Technology in Various Industries
Biometric ID verification offers enhanced security and efficiency across many industries. Here are some ways that biometric verification technology is used with various sectors, such as healthcare, banking, retail, etc.
1. Biometrics in Healthcare
There has been a shift from recording patient’s data in folders to inserting them into tablets. Similarly, biometrics plays a vital role in protecting the patient’s files and maintaining confidentiality.
Benefits of biometric ID verification in healthcare:
- Recording patient information and care details
- Enabling patient check-in and completing the KYP (Know Your Patient) checklist
- Recording staff attendance and employee data
- Maintain data security
- Accuracy and timely access to medical records
- Patient identification at your fingerprint
- Streamlines administrative processes
- Reducing manual or handwritten errors
- Transparency in medicine and pharmaceutical distribution to patients
2. Biometrics in Banking and Finance
When discussing the future of biometrics, we mentioned “behavioral biometrics.” The finance industry widely uses this technology, which monitors a user’s online behavior and financial transactions to spot suspicious activity.
Additionally, the banking industry also actively uses biometrics, such as fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, and voice authentication.
Benefits of biometric verification in banking and finance:
- Provides higher security level for account access and transaction details
- Safeguards customer data and their banking information
- Mitigates the risks associated with traditional authentication
- Safer payment mode using biometrics as an access gateway
- Safeguards data from phishing, fraud, and identity theft
- Assures government regulatory compliance
- Easy and quick customer onboarding process
- Protects account users using mobile banking
- Makes financial transactions more convenient and secure
- Used as a 2FA method after entering PINs and passwords
3. Biometrics in Travel and Transportation
As an example, think about airport security. Biometrics data is being used more frequently at airports and cruise ship terminals.
In addition to advanced document scanning, airports commonly use facial recognition to verify identities, and in some cases, fingerprint scans are needed in customs and immigration.
Benefits of biometric verification in travel and transportation:
- Clearing airport or immigration security with more scrutiny and accuracy
- Airports are adopting facial recognition for check-ins and boarding
- Enhances airport security and ability to identify fraudulent cases
- Helps expedite process starting from ticket generation to flight boarding
- Quick and accurate verification process helps reduce waiting lines and long queues
- Allows the right user to pick up the right vehicle without any human intervention
- Ensures only authorized users can gain access to transportation or hired vehicles
- Streamlines identification process for both traveler and service providers
- Helps enhance the overall efficiency and performance of the industry
- Automate checkpoints and enhance TSA’s security
4. Biometrics in Retail
The retail industry has seen immense changes, from bookkeeping to point of sale (POS) systems, static banners to interactive retail displays, and customer access by biometric identification and verification systems. Retail industries use a few of the common biometric methods: facial recognition, fingerprint scanner, and iris recognition.
A few of the benefits of biometric identity solutions in retail are:
- Always start with customers and provide better customer service
- Enhance customer experience by adding additional security layers
- Grant access only to authorized customers for age-restricted products
- Ensure the customer’s identity and provide personalized shopping experiences
- Streamline the shopping process, starting with customer walk-in to checkout
- Provide tailored recommendations based on the customer’s profile
- Secure and resilient biometric payment methods
- Reduce authorized access to customer data
- Record staff attendance and reduce internal theft
5. Biometrics in Government
Have you ever applied for a work permit or citizenship? The steps state: ‘Complete biometrics,’ ‘Complete police verification (from home country), or ‘Pending biometrics for visa interview.’ This is how vital biometric verification is! Currently, governments all over the world are increasingly adopting biometric technology for various purposes.
Benefits of the biometric verification system in government agencies:
- Ensures the integrity of government processes
- Prevents identity theft and fraud
- Enhances national and international security
- Authenticates profiles to avoid wrongful entries and ease of payments
- Identifies criminals and eases the work of law enforcement
- Ensures better coordination and transparency between departments and agencies
- Remains compliant with government regulations
Why Is Biometrics ID Verification Important?
The importance of biometric identity verification for businesses lies in its ability to provide enhanced security, foster compliance with regulatory requirements, improve customer experiences, and prevent fraud in an increasingly digital world.
Businesses that adopt these technologies sooner will be better prepared for new and emerging cyber threats.
Some of the best reasons to consider biometric age verification in 2023 include:
1. Rise in Cybersecurity Threats
As cyber threats continue to evolve, more than traditional identity verification methods like passwords and security questions are required. Biometrics provides a more secure form of verification that makes it much harder for malicious actors to fake or steal.
2. Digital Transformation
Businesses across all industries are experiencing an increase in online transactions and interactions. This necessitates robust identity verification protocols. Biometrics can provide a secure, user-friendly way for websites to verify ages and identities.
3. Remote Work
The shift to remote work has created a need for secure digital identity verification methods. Biometrics can help ensure that the person accessing a system remotely is indeed who they claim to be.
4. Regulatory Compliance
Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the US have stringent requirements for data security, which can be met more effectively with biometric verification.
5. Technological Advancements
Technology advancements have made biometric systems more accurate, reliable, and affordable, leading to increased adoption.
6. User Experience
Biometric verification can provide a seamless user experience. For example, facial recognition or a fingerprint scan can be quicker and easier than remembering and typing a password.
7. Fraud Prevention
Biometric verification can help prevent identity theft and fraud. For example, liveness detection can ensure the person is physically present, not a photo, video, or mask.
In short, there are numerous benefits to AI and biometrics security systems. However, transitioning to new technologies introduces risks businesses should prepare for.
How to Choose a Secure Biometric ID Verification Solution?
Here’s a tip: Don’t rush your company’s transition to new ID verification methods. Embracing solutions that haven’t been fully vetted can open your business to risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
How can you transition safely? Start with these tips for choosing biometric software for your ID security stack:
1. Choose Reliable Technology
Not all biometric systems are created equal. Choose a system known for its accuracy and reliability, like FTx Identity. It’s also essential to choose a system that fits the business’s specific business.
2. Secure Storage
Biometric data is sensitive and should be stored securely. This can involve encryption, using secure servers, and following best practices for data security. Some systems also use techniques like hashing or tokenization to secure biometric data further.
3. Privacy Compliance
Businesses should comply with all relevant privacy laws and regulations when using biometric data. This can involve obtaining informed consent from users, only collecting necessary data, and providing transparency about how the data is used.
4. Multi-Factor Authentication
Biometrics can be used as part of a multi-factor authentication system where more than one verification method is used. This can provide an additional layer of security. Choose a biometrics platform that will integrate with your existing processes.
5. Regular Updates and Maintenance
Like any technology, biometric systems should be regularly updated and maintained to ensure they are secure and functioning correctly.
Another option: Look for identity verification platforms that allow you to introduce biometrics slowly. For example, you might use selfie scanning with liveness detection as part of your AI ID verification process before moving into more advanced functionalities like retina scans.
Make Your Business More Secure
The adoption of biometrics technology on the market grows each day. Soon, customers will demand these types of solutions as they foster better privacy.
Your business can’t afford to generate cybersecurity debt. Fortunately, FTx Identity offers a secure, user-friendly platform equipped with the latest technologies.
Our customers use FTx Identity for:
- 3D Liveness detection
- Online store age verification for websites
- ID scanning and catching fake IDs (brick-and-mortar and online)
- Age verification (bars/nightclubs, liquor/tobacco retail, age-restricted events)
- And much more
Contact an FTx Identity security planner today to learn how your business can transition and reimagine your ID checking process.