Biometric technology is moving into our everyday lives, becoming much more common. Biometrics are basically biological measurements related to human features, like faces, fingerprints, the iris of your eye and even your heartbeat. Facebook uses biometrics to automatically name users in photos posted to the popular social media website. Many smartphones also use biometric technology, whether a fingerprint or facial recognition, so users can secure their phones. A biometric system can be implemented in different areas of security from doors to camera systems, phones, computers and applications.
As the world modernizes, locksmiths are the key to the evolution in security for your home or business and can help with a biometric system.
Where Else are Biometrics Used?
Banks are using biometrics to securely grant access to customers’ online accounts. Amazon’s Alexa and other virtual assistant technology use voice biometrics to react to user commands. Some residential and commercial security products, such as door locks and safes, also use biometric data, including retina scans, to allow user access.
When a company wants to make sure that they are giving access to only an authorized person, they have traditionally required the use of a password. Passwords, however, are vulnerable to hacking, as many people use familiar, easily determined passwords, like street names and names of family members, so they are able to remember their passwords easily. Biometrics link “proof of identity” to our bodies.1
Types of Biometrics
There are six types of biometric data. They include 1) face recognition; 2) iris recognition; 3) fingerprint scanning; 4) voice recognition; 5) hand geometry; and 6) behavioral characteristics.2 Biometric data is mapped using a biometric scanner. It is stored in a database. The scan is then matched against the saved database to approve or deny access.
One advantage of biometric technology is convenience, as biometrics are part of the user they can’t be lost or forgotten like a password. They are also relatively secure as they can’t be stolen or easily manufactured because they are unique to each individual.
Licensed locksmiths can help by installing a biometric system that will limit security issues.
Considerations of Biometrics
The disadvantages of biometric technology are worth consideration. First, unlike a password that you can change if your data is breached, you can’t change your biometrics. Second, there is growing evidence that biometric scanners can be fooled. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill used photos of 20 volunteers and constructed 3-D models of the volunteers’ faces and the resulting 3-D models successfully fooled four of the five facial recognition security systems the researchers tested.3 Fingerprint cloning is even more prevalent. At the Black Hat Cybersecurity Conference $10 worth of materials were used to make a passable fingerprint impression in molding plastic or candle wax, and the iPhone TouchID fingerprint reader was spoofed within two days of its release by Germany’s Chaos Computer Club whose members simply photographed a fingerprint on a glass surface to unlock the iPhone 5s.4
As biometrics is an emerging technology there are a patchwork of laws and regulations governing biometric data. As of July 2021 only Arkansas, California, Illinois, New York, Texas and Washington have passed their own biometric statutes or expanded laws to include biometric identifiers, with Illinois having the most stringent regulations.5 There is currently no federal law to address biometric privacy.
Suit Your Security Needs
You can choose not to use biometric technology or at least limit the number of companies that have your biometric data. You can also choose companies that require multiple authentication methods, such as an iris scan with a 10-fingerprint scan and facial recognition, which makes it harder for you to become a victim of fraud.
Even two-factor identification such as a password combined with a fingerprint scan, is more secure than just a password or fingerprint scan alone. You can often disable facial recognition on social media sites such as Facebook. Another tip to protect you from being a victim of hackers is to keep your device software updated and always use strong passwords. It is up to each individual to determine whether the convenience and ease of using a biometric security system outweighs the possible disadvantage of a biometric data breach.
Questions? Action Locksmith can help! Upgrading your security benefits your home, business, family, employees and more. Whether you want to install biometric scanning, upgrade you access control and camera systems or just need new locks and doors, we do it all.
Our locksmith business is a #1 choice in Michigan for more than 30 years due to our knowledge, expertise, and dedication to the residents of Michigan. Call us to learn more about our residential locksmith services, commercial locksmith services and more!
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1, 3, 4 What is Biometrics? How is it used in Security?
Link: https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/biometrics
2 Biometrics and biometric data: What is it and is it secure?
Link: https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-iot-biometrics-how-do-they-work-are-they-safe.html
5 Privacy Regulatory Trends: Personal Information and Biometric Data Privacy Laws, by RadarFirst, 7/21/2021
Link: https://www.radarfirst.com/blog/privacy-regulatory-trends-personal-information-biometric-data-privacy-laws/