What is biometrics? Discover the 10 most popular types
The internet is a fertile soil for solving problems, for facilitating and accelerating processes and optimizing time. But the more active we are in the digital world, the more attention we need to pay to the security of our information and data. In this sense, user authentication is one of the main security measures currently used, since traditional passwords may no longer be sufficient - and that's where biometrics comes in.
With the rise of cyber threats, such as identity theft and financial fraud, more and more companies and organizations are looking for ways to protect their information and that of their customers.
In this perspective, the biometric technology market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 22.7% by 2025, driven by the increase in demand for security solutions in various sectors, such as financial, government, health and retail.
It should be noted that, in 2020, the same Mordor Intelligence report shows that global revenue from the biometrics market was US$ 22.5 billion, and this number is expected to reach US$ 68.6 billion by 2027, showing the growth trend of this technology in the coming years.
What is biometrics?
Biometry is a technology for identifying users through unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, irises, voice, face, and others. This technology is widely used in security systems, access control, personal identification, and even in financial transactions, with the objective of increasing security and accuracy in identifying individuals.
Unlike passwords, which can be stolen or forgotten, biometric characteristics are inherent to the person and difficult to falsify, making biometric authentication a more secure and reliable way of identifying users.
In Brazil, the legal system (such as the LGPD) provides for the right to “inviolability of privacy, honor, and image”, as well as respect for privacy linked to human rights, stressing the need for security in the digital age.
For this reason, companies that do not comply with the legislation are subject to fines and even the impossibility of performing the function in front of the consumer. Therefore, innovating in technologies that increase safety is paramount.
In this sense, research from GetApp shows that users are feeling increasingly comfortable using the most diverse types of biometrics.
What are the most popular types of biometrics?
There are several types of biometric authentication, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Among the main ones, we mention:
prints
Fingerprints are perhaps the most well-known and used type of biometrics today. They are unique to each individual and relatively easy to collect.
They are widely used on mobile devices, such as smartphones and also in security systems in general. It is collected using a fingerprint scanner, which converts the image into a digital pattern to be compared with the pattern previously stored in the database.
Facial recognition
Facial recognition is a technology that is gaining more and more space, especially in security applications. It works by recognizing each individual's unique facial features, such as the shape of the face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
It is usually done through cameras integrated into mobile devices or systems that use image recognition algorithms to compare facial features with those stored in a database.
Voice recognition
Voice recognition is a technology that uses the unique characteristics of an individual's voice for authentication. It works by analyzing tone of voice, speech patterns, and other factors related to the sound of the voice.
It is especially useful in telephone call recognition systems, voice access control systems, and other similar operations.
Retinal recognition
Retinal recognition is a type of biometry that uses the unique features of an individual's eye retina for authentication. It works through the use of a retinal scanner, which emits infrared light to analyze the retinal image.
In its essence, it is a technique widely used in security systems where precision is essential, such as in access control systems in highly restricted environments.
Iris recognition
Iris recognition is a type of biometrics that uses the unique characteristics of an individual's eye iris for authentication.
It works through the use of an iris scanner, which emits infrared light to analyze the image of the iris.
Like retinal recognition, it is most used in security systems where accuracy is decisive.
Palm recognition
The palm of the hand has distinctive features, such as lines and grooves, which are used to quickly and accurately verify a person's identity. Therefore, palm recognition is a biometric method that is based on the detailed analysis of the geometry of the hand, including the lines and patterns present on the palm.
These unique and stable standards provide an effective form of authentication, and are particularly valuable in environments where fingerprints may be worn out or not clearly identifiable.
Geometry of the hand
Biometry based on hand geometry is performed by a device that analyzes the structure of the hand and compares it with a database. This method considers the dimensions of the fingers, the width of the bones, and the pattern of the joints to create an individual profile.
The reading device extracts measurements in three dimensions and converts them into a mathematical identifier, thus generating a model. For an accurate reading, it is essential to replicate the same hand position that was used during registration.
Vascular biometry
Biometric identification can be performed by analyzing the veins present in the hand, a method known as Vein ID (VID). The veins cannot be cloned or replaced, giving this technique 99% accuracy.
To further reinforce this precision, the reading of the veins in the hand is only possible when accompanied by a specific fist gesture, which makes fraud and the simulation of personal parameters more difficult.
Advantages of using biometrics
Have you ever stopped to think about the importance that today's customer, immersed in the digital world and aware of the advantages and problems, attaches to information security and especially to the legal validity of the documents they sign?
Data from Fortinet, the global leader in comprehensive, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, shows that, between January and June 2021 alone, there were more than 16.2 billion attempted attacks cybernetics in our country.
So, investing in more authentication points not only Increase safety of operations, as well as Decreases risk of frauds and intruders using themselves in bad faith to steal your information.
security, encryption and authentication have become topics of interest to every user, at a global level.
After all, at the end of the day, reliability in the corporate world It is, in fact, one of the most valuable assets and the more security your client/partner identifies, the less doubts they will have regarding the data/permissions and, as a result, the more deals will be signed.
At Clicksign, privacy is a priority. We are the first and only Brazilian electronic signature company certified by ISO 27001 and 27701, which attest to the highest standards of Information Security and Personal Data Protection.
Examples of biometrics in practice
A practical example of how biometrics is changing the way we identify ourselves is the use of digital fingerprinting on smartphones. Instead of entering a password or PIN to unlock the device, simply place your finger on the biometric reader to access the device.
This makes the authentication process faster and more convenient for the user, while increasing security.
Another example is facial recognition. At airports and other busy locations, the use of facial recognition technology can streamline the process of identifying passengers and visitors, increasing efficiency and reducing queues.
The moment of the global economy is one of continuous transformation and numerous digital solutions are emerging ever faster. An intelligent business is aware of innovations and the importance of including increasingly secure and automated methods, since investing in technology means being ahead of the market.
Another important example of the use of biometrics is the authentication of signers who use the electronic signature.
When signing a document, regardless of its purpose, it is possible to count on a high degree of safety. As financial and banking institutions, for example, are increasingly demanding this type of control over the validation of signatories of your documents.
Let's see, in practice, how this is possible.
Biometrics is changing the way we protect our data
As seen, biometrics is a technology that has been gaining ground in the security and user authentication market.
With its rise, we can expect greater ease of use on mobile devices and other applications and also a reduction in the number of fraud and identity theft.
Additionally, biometrics can play an important role in democratizing access to financial services and other areas that require secure identification.
While passwords are still widely used, biometrics are likely to become increasingly popular in the coming years as technology evolves and becomes more accessible. Therefore, keep an eye on this trend and look for ways to implement biometrics in your processes, since its use makes the processes safer, more convenient and efficient.
In fact, biometrics is transforming the way we identify ourselves and protect our data, and it will certainly continue to be one of the most relevant and promising technologies of the digital age.
With that in mind, if you want to digitize your processes in an applicable and legally valid manner, don't waste time and Try biometrics on our platform now for 14 days free.
