The Pros and Cons of Mobile Biometric Authentication for Data Security
Several security devices available in today’s modern technological world can greatly assist in securing data and keeping a record of a person’s identification and other transactions.
Consequently, mobile biometric technology has become a benefit for the tech-savvy era. It solves problems such as the intersection of connection, security, and identity. This technology applies to many devices, including smartphones, tablets, and other handheld devices. It also has great use in mobile device management.
It’s safe to say that this kind of authentication for security is becoming increasingly popular in businesses and other aspects of daily life. Most people are benefitting from the use cases of this technology, while some are trying to warn people about the potential dangers and risks of biometrics. This is why, in this article, we will go through biometric security’s primary benefits and drawbacks.
Biometrics are measurable human qualities, characteristics, or behaviors that may be used to validate a person’s identification. For example, a person’s face or fingerprints are unique and can be measured. As a result, they are frequently used in law enforcement applications to identify a person.
How Does the Biometric System Work?
To verify an individual’s identification using a biometric identifier, you need a way to collect or measure the required feature and a record of that characteristic to compare your measurement to.
On the other hand, modern biometric systems generally require three stages to automate the biometric authentication process:
- A physical measuring instrument that reads or scans the biometric characteristic used to authenticate a person.
- Software that translates a biometric scan into a digital format compares it to the biometric characteristic data.
- A previously stored record of that biometric feature to which the software can compare the fresh scan to validate a person.
The 5 Advantages of Biometric Authentication:
The system accelerates and makes the authentication procedure easy, yet, it also offers the following advantages:
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Quicker Authentication:
Traditionally, firms used to opt for the ‘pen and paper’ method, in which an employee would sign in by penning his signature on an ‘attendance sheet.’ The manual method would be time-consuming; however, the biometric system eliminates the requirement for physical attendance. Employees can simply use the retina or device fingerprinting scanner to sign in and record their attendance.
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Complete Data Accuracy:
Biometric technology limits access to authorized people and keeps intruders out. Data security is ensured after a physical trait has logged onto the system by restricting outside access.
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Improves the Security System:
Passwords, pins, and security codes might be difficult for some people to remember. Passwords are no longer required with the biometric system. It has several modes: retina recognition, fingerprint scanning, and a face scanner.
The technique could also be used to protect sensitive information since, like passwords and pins, which can be stolen, fingerprints cannot be forged.
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Maximizes Convenience:
The biometric system provides authentic sign-in and sign-out data, making it easy to track every business employee. HR staff is not required to go through stacks of attendance papers to calculate leaves, late sign-ins, or overtime for individual employees. The useful tool collects all of the information for you. It even makes the process of using mobile payment apps and digital wallets swift and easy.
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Complete Control over Access:
Physical authentication allows HR officials and businesses to control who has access to the office building, vaults, sensitive data, and lockers. The biometric technology enables them to limit access to unauthorized personnel. You just give access to those who need it.
The 5 Disadvantages of Biometric Authentication:
The system may provide several benefits to businesses, but if you opt to use it, consider the following disadvantages:
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Expensive on the Pocket:
While the system is reliable and convenient, the cost is not cheap. Since this biometric system is still in its initial stages, the setup, integration, and hardware can be costly, particularly for small enterprises. It also might not work for outdated devices or gadgets, and you will have to renew your old mobile devices.
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Scanner Issues:
Some biometric systems can face scanning troubles if there is even a little change, particularly if the organization uses retina scanning. Iris scanning is still unreliable since the system fails if the user has long eyelashes or a reflection in the cornea.
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Software Malfunction:
The biometric system is also unreliable since it is an automatic system that runs on electricity. No one can enter or exit if there is a power failure.
Moreover, if the software contains a bug or fails for any reason, it will restrict user access until it is restored.
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Security Breaches:
In the case of a security breach, hackers often steal all data later to get access to illegal parts of the company. No one can do anything when data is taken since it cannot be changed.
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Physical Disabilities:
The authentication system only recognizes the traits entered and fails to identify the person if their physical features alter slightly. Here are some of the reasons why traits may change:
- A finger that has been burned or injured
- Retinal transplantation
- Hands with tattoos
- If the user is wearing lenses (and usually does not), or vice versa
Biometric – Reliable or Not?
The biometric system can lead to company security since it is a breakthrough that is evolving with the current technology to become ideal. It has more advantages than disadvantages; nonetheless, it is far from perfect. However, with the growing tech advancements and AI trends, the Biometric Authentication process will only improve and become more reliable.
