What is biometric verification?

In today’s digital age, securing access to personal data and sensitive information is becoming increasingly important.

Biometric verifi­cation has proven to be a reliable and practical method for identi­fying and authen­ti­cating individuals by lever­aging unique biological charac­ter­istics. This technology is now integrated into various aspects of daily life, from unlocking smart­phones to airport security checks.

Let’s explore what biometric verifi­cation is, how it works, what different types of biometric systems exist, and where this technology is commonly used.

What is biometric verification?

Biometric verifi­cation is a method for identi­fying and validating individuals based on their unique biological charac­ter­istics. These features include finger­prints, facial patterns, voice­prints, iris patterns and more. Biometric verifi­cation answers the question “Who are you?” in a digital environment that allows individuals to access systems, services or devices.

Unlike tradi­tional authen­ti­cation methods such as passwords or PINs, biometric data is inher­ently personal and difficult to forge or reproduce. This makes biometric verifi­cation one of the most secure methods of identity verifi­cation.

How does a biometric verification system work?

The biometric verifi­cation process includes several important steps.

First, a biometric sample, such as a finger­print or facial scan, is collected from the person. This pattern is then converted into a digital template that is securely stored in a database. When the person needs to be authen­ti­cated, a new biometric sample is taken and compared to the saved template. If both match, the person’s identity is checked.

Biometric systems can work both online and offline depending on the appli­cation. For example, online systems could use cloud technology to store and process biometric data, enabling remote verifi­cation. Offline systems, on the other hand, typically use local storage and processing, which may be more suitable for high-security environ­ments.

What types of biometric verification are there?

Facial recognition

Facial recog­nition technology uses the unique features of a person’s face, such as the shape of the chin or the distance between the eyes, to identify and authen­ticate them. This method is commonly used on smart­phones where users can unlock their devices by simply looking at the camera. The system captures a digital image of the face and compares it to a stored template. Although facial recog­nition is very effective, it may be less reliable for children and the elderly, whose facial features may change over time.

Iris and retinal pattern recognition

Iris and retinal pattern recog­nition is one of the most secure forms of biometric verifi­cation. The iris and retina have complex, unique patterns that remain stable throughout life. These patterns are captured using special scanners and compared to stored templates for authen­ti­cation. This technology is often used in high-security environ­ments, such as military facil­ities and banking systems.

Fingerprint scanning

Finger­print scanning is one of the oldest and most widely used forms of biometric verifi­cation. Each person’s finger­print has unique grooves and patterns that can be used to identify them. Finger­print scanners are now widely available in smart­phones, allowing users to unlock their devices or authorize payments with a simple touch. This method is also used with government-issued IDs such as passports, where finger­prints are stored in a database for verifi­cation.

Speech recognition

Speech recog­nition technology analyzes the unique charac­ter­istics of a person’s voice, such as pitch, tone and frequency, to verify their identity. This method is often used in customer service appli­ca­tions where people can be authen­ti­cated over the phone. Speech recog­nition can be imple­mented using either text-dependent or text-independent systems, the former requiring the user to say a specific sentence and the latter allowing free speech. However, compared to other biometric methods, voice recog­nition is more suscep­tible to fraud, such as deepfake attacks.

Signature recognition

Signature recog­nition analyzes the way a person signs their name, taking into account factors such as speed, pressure and the shape of the signature. Although less common than other forms of biometrics, signature recog­nition is still used in some financial insti­tu­tions and legal appli­ca­tions where handwritten signa­tures are required. However, this method is more suscep­tible to forgery and less reliable than other biometric verifi­cation techniques.

Where is biometric verification used?

Mobile access and authentication

Biometric verifi­cation is increas­ingly being used in mobile devices for access control and authen­ti­cation. Smart­phones now often feature finger­print scanners and facial recog­nition technology, allowing users to securely and conve­niently unlock their devices and authorize trans­ac­tions. This seamless integration of biometric data with mobile technology has made it easier for users to access their data while ensuring a high level of security.

Airport security

Airports around the world are adopting biometric verifi­cation to increase security and streamline passenger processing. Biometric systems such as Facial recog­nition and iris scanning are used at security check­points, boarding gates and customs to quickly and accurately verify travelers’ identities. This technology not only improves safety but also reduces waiting times for passengers and makes the travel experience more efficient.

Online banking

In the financial sector, biometric verifi­cation offers customers a secure way to access their online banking accounts. Banks are increas­ingly using finger­print and facial recog­nition as authen­ti­cation methods, replacing tradi­tional passwords and PINs. This approach not only increases security but also simplifies the user experience, allowing customers to conduct trans­ac­tions quickly and securely from their mobile devices.

Remote identity verification

With the rise of digital services, remote identity verifi­cation has become essential for businesses to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) regula­tions and prevent fraud. Biometric verifi­cation combined with document verifi­cation allows companies to remotely verify the identity of their customers. For example, a user may be asked to submit photo ID and a selfie during the onboarding process. The system then uses facial recog­nition to match the selfie to the photo on the ID, ensuring that the person is who they say they are.

Diploma

Biometric verifi­cation has become a corner­stone of modern security systems, providing a reliable and conve­nient way to authen­ticate people based on their unique biological charac­ter­istics. From mobile devices to airport security to online banking, biometric data is being integrated into various aspects of daily life, providing enhanced security and a seamless user experience. As technology advances, the use of biometric data is expected to increase and become an even more integral part of our digital lives.