That’s the potential of biometrics: the application of technology and data to analyze the physical and behavioral traits unique to an individual, including their fingerprints, voice, facial or iris structure, and even how they type. Biometrics can help us make authenticating consumers safer and more secure, and do it all in the time it takes to snap a selfie.
Intelligent biometrics offer simplicity and security
Biometrics are the next logical step in the evolution of authentication for two reasons: convenience and security. Snapping a photo or pressing your finger to your smartphone to unlock it is significantly simpler than fumbling with a complex, case-sensitive password on your phone’s keyboard. And since biometric data is unique to each person, it’s substantially harder for criminals to commit fraud—especially at scale.
Biometrics are here and now
A study forecasted that in 2017 there would be nearly 2 billion biometrics payments – up from 600 million in 2016.1
Logging in with a fingerprint is already mainstream. Taking a selfie is no longer just for showing off your new outfit—now you can authenticate payment for your clothes with a selfie. And voice recognition as an enabler of commerce is an innovation happening right before our eyes (and ears).
SOURCE: Research conducted by AYTM Market Research, September 12-19, 2017, among 1,000 U.S. adult consumers who use at least one credit card, debit card, and/or mobile pay.
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1Juniper Research, “Mobile Payment Security: Biometric Authentication & Tokenisation 2017-2021”
Real-world challenges in front of us
It’s exciting to imagine a world where biometrics reduce the need for passwords and PINs, but we’re not quite there yet. That’s because biometrics can’t work just 80 percent of the time, or even 90 percent of the time.
Biometrics have to work close to 100 percent of the time.
Some of the obstacles to reaching this goal are obvious. If you’ve ever tried to unlock your smartphone with a wet thumb, take a selfie in the dark, or talk to
