Rise of Biometric Verification Leaving Passwords Behind

• By Gabriel Luke
• 20-12-2019
• Technology

The measurement of unique physical characteristics refers to biometric authentication. The unique biological traits are used for the identification of individuals. Biometrics are becoming the advanced form of user authentication and to get controlled access over databases and systems. Statistics by statistica show that the global biometric verification system brought in $21.8 billion. This technology is widely used in online businesses, airports, surveillance purposes, police departments, financial institutions, etc. About 75% of consumers utilize the power of biometric technology. Biometrics from fingerprint scanning, signatures, facial recognition to iris/retina scanning and palm geometry.

Instead of a password verification system, biometrics are used that do not need to remember and provide high-level security over devices and online user accounts. Biometric data is stored in databases and is compared with the user data captured in real-time. Two datasets are required for biometric authentication. The first data is preset on the device of the owner and the second belongs to the visitor. The match between both the datasets should be nearly identical. It is not necessarily identical to 100%.

Among all biometrics, facial recognition is most acceptable and adaptable around the globe. Online industries use Face Recognition Technology to verify onboarding customers. To combat the risks of online frauds, face recognition technology is used online. In real-time and identity is verified within seconds. This serves the purpose of allowing only authorized entities to become part of the system. Also, it deters the risks of fake identities that conduct identity theft fraud and use that identity online. Through biometrics, identity would be first verified and then allowed to utilize the services of an online platform.

How Face Recognition Works?

In online platforms, when it comes to authenticating identity, biometric authentication system, face recognition takes place in the following steps:

Step#1 Capture ID Document

The process of face verification starts with document verification. The online user would have to upload a clear picture of id document that contains a photograph of the user. The id card is inspected with the help of an underlying AI and ML-based algorithm in face recognition technology.

Step#2 Upload a Selfie

The online user is then supposed to upload a selfie using a phone camera or webcam. That picture is verified against the picture on the ID document uploaded previously. This verifies that a person is the one who he says he is.

Step#3 Creation of 3D Face Map

When the selfie is captured, ion the same process liveness detection is performed. This process ensures that the user is physically present at the time of the picture or video capture. Liveness detection can be performed by asking a user to do some facial movement or eye blinking. This deters the risks of fraudulent activities that are done online by making the system fool through printed pictures or 3D masks.

After running several checks, the 3D mask of the user's face is mapped and stored in the database. If both the images match, that user is enrolled in the authentic use database. Now, every time the user tries to access the online account would have to verify face only. Those facial features will be matched with data stored.

Biometric Authentication system enables security and is used by a number of sectors. A large number of data breaches and online frauds take place as a result of unauthorized access over the databases and the organization’s confidential data. This can be efficiently eliminated through Biometric Identification. Passwords are replaced by this technology which is much more efficient and streamlined. It provides more security and better user experience.