Comparing Biometric Identity Verification Technologies: A Simple Guide

Biometric identity verification is at this point widely accepted to be much better than passwords and PIN codes for security. And so, many different methods for using your person to secure your systems have emerged, and new ones are coming to the forefront surprisingly regularly.

With so much variety out there, figuring out which one is better than which, and when, can be quite the confusing dilemma to work out. Let the experts help you. We’ll explain how the most common technologies in biometrics are similar, how they differ, and which is best suited for use when by your business or enterprise.

Why Biometric Security?

We thought it important to state right at the beginning that while some of these biometric technologies are better than others, it should be remembered that no matter which one you use, it would still be better than conventional methods like passwords and PIN codes.

The thing about passwords is that they are only as secure as the effort the user puts into making them complex. Biometrics, on the other hand, provides everyone with equal amounts of security, which is higher than passwords to begin with.

The reason for this is that biometrics are intrinsically attached to your physical being, so they can’t really be stolen off of you or hacked (at least not nearly as easily). You also don’t really need to remember anything or bring anything, except for yourself of course!

The Most Popular Biometric Technologies

While there are many novel, more niche technologies for biometric verification like gait recognition, gaze scanning, and more, we will focus here on the most common, and thus the ones you are most likely to use or come in contact with.

Fingerprint Scanning

The most widespread form of biometrics that most people see in their everyday lives is probably fingerprint scanning because most mobile phones nowadays come with this feature. But even before, the widespread knowledge of their uniqueness led to them being used as a form of identification for people for many years.

Advantages

From a business point of view, fingerprints are possibly the easiest to implement simply because of the fact that they are already widespread, based purely on just being around for so long.

Add to this the fact that most customers will already know how such a system works, so there would be little to no explanation required. This would be one of the most frictionless mechanisms when it comes to user experience.

Disadvantages

The big disadvantage of fingerprints as a form of biometric data protection is that they are quite malleable. Our hands and fingers are the most widely mobile parts of our body, so they get injured or marked the most as well. This means that false rejection rates can often be high.

Combine this with the fact that they are not as difficult to replicate, and can be done so with relatively unsophisticated technology, and we see a major reason why most phones combine fingerprint biometrics with the next entry on our list.

Facial Recognition

The second most common and well-known form of biometrics is of course face recognition. It is possibly the only form of biometrics, the input device for which is already found almost everywhere in today’s day and age.

Advantages

When it comes to implementation, facial biometrics usually requires AI and deep learning algorithms to work, but these have now become quite easy to implement in existing systems. The fact that HD cameras are in most places nowadays means that nearly all businesses will find some application of this technology.

This is easily the most frictionless and user-friendly form of biometrics out there right now and is also the only one that is completely non-intrusive. Plus it is the only kind of biometrics that works just as well with crowds as it does with singular individuals.

Disadvantages

The disadvantage with facial recognition comes from the fact that it is quite often situation-dependent. Depending on the quality of the implementation and algorithm, it can be affected by lighting, facial angles, accessories (masks, sunglasses, etc.), and environmental factors like rain and fog.

Iris Recognition

Iris scan is one of the more unique biometric identification mechanisms on this list, but you would be surprised at the level of application it gets. This mechanism depends on the unique patterns formed inside of iris for identity verification.

Advantages

Among all the biometric systems on our list, iris recognition offers easily the highest level of security. In addition, the relatively little-to-no variability that this biometric trait goes through with either age, injury, or environmental conditions makes it a great method for long-term security. This makes it favored in some of the highest security spaces, like the military.

Disadvantages

Iris recognition has two big disadvantages, one each for businesses and users. From a business implementation standpoint, the fact that specialized technology, in the form of an infrared scanner, is required for this to work, can lead to a lot of added expenses compared to other biometric technologies.

As for the user experience, iris recognition is just not that great. Having to have a beam flashed in your eyes can be uncomfortable, and just highly unappealing. In addition, people usually have to place their chin on some holder to position their head correctly in front of the scanner, which makes for added discomfort and hygiene concerns.

Retina Scanning

The least well-known security and verification technology in this list is retina scanning. This method scans for the pattern of the blood vessels inside of the human retina, which are subtly unique to each individual.

Advantages

Like iris scanning, retina scans have some of the highest levels of accuracy, and in addition, are exceptionally secure as blood vessels are extremely difficult to replicate. This also means that there are very little chances of false positives and negatives.

Disadvantages

Retina scans are more prone to variability by diseases like cataracts and astigmatism, which affect the veins of the eyes directly. The scanning procedure can also sometimes be considered quite invasive, and like iris scanning requires specialized equipment.

Voice Recognition

Voice recognition for security biometrics analyzes an individual’s speech patterns. This includes things like tone of voice, pitch, cadence, talking pace, and so on. This is often by prompting some specific phrase to be spoken by the user.

Advantages

After facial recognition, voice recognition is the most widely applicable simply because it involves the least invasiveness, and microphones are practically all phones. It also has the least user friction involved, as users simply have to speak to authenticate themselves.

Disadvantages

Of the biometric data protection and verification methods on this list, voice biometrics is the least accurate. This is because it is extremely sensitive to environmental factors, including background noise, and even the space the authentication is being performed in. Most illnesses also tend to have some effect on the voice, which means it would be very difficult to get into a system if you are sick.

Voice and speech patterns are also considered the easiest biometric to spoof, to a very high level of sophistication and accuracy. And the few tools to prevent these spoofs that exist are still not that effective.

Comparative Analysis – What Really Matters

You can probably see from the above table why we here at Facia think that facial recognition offers the best, and most widely applicable solution for biometric security. No other biometric identification mechanism offers a better combination of security, while still being highly user-friendly. To learn more about how facial recognition can work as a better enterprise security solution for you, contact Facia today.