The use of biometrics has revolutionized the security game, and there are lots of options available, but what are the safest types of biometrics technology you can use?
Cybersecurity is something that everyone should take seriously. Technology is pushing itself past the cutting edge every day, and the race to keep ourselves safe has kept pace stunningly. As it should. Most of our lives are lived online now. From socializing to banking, and from studying to service providing, everything happens on the information superhighway that is the internet.
Anyone who knows anything about the internet knows that it’s unsafe. Yet, everything from our phones to our televisions is connected to it. We need to protect our devices and by extension our privacy, identity and ourselves, from intruders.
Thankfully, there are ways. The use of biometrics has revolutionized the security game, and there are lots of options available, but what are the safest types of biometrics technology you can use? In this article, we’ll have a look at them all. First of all, what is biometrics?
What is Biometrics?
Biometrics refers to a type of digital security measure. It uses physical attributes that are unique to you – fingerprints, facial features, voice patterns – and uses them for identification instead of passwords and PIN numbers.
They are much more secure because these things are unique to you and, let’s face it, you’re far less likely to lose your pattern of speech than that pesky piece of paper you wrote all your passwords on!
Iris Recognition
Iris recognition has consistently ranked among the topmost reliable biometric security systems available. This technology uses an infrared scanner to take a detailed picture of your iris, which is unique to you, and uses it for identification.
This makes it the fastest, and most accurate identification system currently available for mass use. Because it doesn’t require any sort of touching, people like it for the hygienic value – especially during these times!
The main drawback is that it is costly, but the added security is well worth it.
Facial Recognition
Facial recognition technology was revolutionary. It doesn’t require touch, or voice, and makes it inclusive for people with disabilities who might have problems using it otherwise. However, it does have its drawbacks.
Presenting your entire face to a scanner can be uncomfortable. Unlike an iris scanner, which is incredibly small, a face scanner needs your whole face. This can feel like being scrutinized, and if you have it on your phone, can activate devices even if you move your face in a specific way accidentally.
See: Meet IRpair & Phantom; powerful anti-facial recognition glasses
Additionally, it can malfunction if you don’t have proper lighting, have make-up on, or even by your natural skin-tone.
Ultrasonic Fingerprinting
Fingerprints are a classic. Though facial recognition almost made fingerprinting irrelevant, ultrasonic scanning has given this age-old method a much needed shot in the arm. By using ultrasonic waves to create a 3D map of your fingerprint, the sensor becomes much more reliable.
Not only does it map your fingerprint patterns, but also the ridges, contours, and any abnormalities your prints may have. This helps distinguish your prints from 3D forgeries which can’t hope to recreate such minute details.
Bear in mind, though, that this method necessitates touch, something you might want to avoid in this current climate. Effective as it is, hygiene is where it loses some points as it doesn’t work as well with gloves on.
Finger and Palm Vein
Also called vascular biometrics, this pair of technologies deal with scanning the pattern of your veins beneath your skin. These patterns are then encrypted into code, and as everyone has a distinct pattern of veins in their hand and fingers, this makes it almost impossible to crack.
Unlike fingerprinting, which relies on the surface level of the skin, vein scans deal with the insides, and thus you can use them with gloves and other protective gear on, making it much more accessible hygienically.
However, as with iris scanning, this technology is expensive. On top of that, environmental factors like cold temperatures can impair their effectiveness. Additionally, this is not ideal for child identification since the vascular system of children is constantly evolving until they reach maturity.
Conclusion
It should be clear from this list that no form of biometric security is completely foolproof. They each have their pros and cons and it is up to you to decide which of those advantages and drawbacks you’re most comfortable living with.
At the rate at which technology is evolving, it won’t take long for these modalities to get left behind as well. So, no matter what you choose, don’t stop looking for what’s coming over the horizon. You and yours deserve the best!
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