When the iPhone 5s was released in 2013, there was a huge amount of buzz revolving around one security measure.
This was, of course, the implementation of Touch ID – a fingerprint recognition system that allowed users to unlock their device at the tap of a button.
Around the globe, biometrics security has become more popular, and now we’re accustomed to another feature, Face ID. In 2024, you need only look at your phone to gain access, but it’s important to remember how much of a groundbreaking feature Touch ID really was when it was introduced into the mainstream.
Really, it proved that security didn’t have to be complex. Using the biological characteristics of an individual to verify their identity is simple, yet it’s also one of the most reliable and convenient.
While other security features like multi-factor authentication have also joined the fray, biometrics arguably remains the most secure, and certainly the most popular. So let’s look at why they’re so beneficial and if there are any hidden downsides.
The Benefits of Biometrics
Technically, biometrics refers to a pattern recognition that can match an individual’s biometric traits. This can include anything from physical fingerprints to certain behaviours, but for this list, we’ll stick to the biometrics we are all used to right now – Touch ID and Face ID.
Convenience and Speed
The most evident benefit of biometrics is that they are fast and convenient. As a user, you don’t have to remember a password or spend time typing it in. The verification is essentially carried out automatically.
High Level Security
As mentioned before, biometrics are one of the most reliable security features because they are so hard to target. Breaching a passcode is a hacker’s bread and butter, but because biometric breaches require individual targeting, it’s a lot harder to carry out a successful attack.
High Quality Technology
Any liveness detection technology is maintained and graded by the US National Institute of Standards in Technology, which means the standards for biometric security are high. This is why a photo of someone’s face will not pass the test of Face ID. The tech behind it is reviewed and assured.
The Downsides to Using Biometrics
This is not to say that using biometrics is completely fool-proof, of course. Below, we’ve listed a few of the potential downsides:
Complacency
One of the downsides to biometrics is that it urges the user to put all their eggs in one basket. Because the process feels automatic and watertight, users easily become complacent and fail to take the appropriate safety measures elsewhere on the web. But with hackers and data brokers still waiting in the wings – and biometrics unable to help us when we’re actually searching the web – it remains important to remove your information from the internet. and cut your digital footprint as much as possible.
False Matches
While it is not so common, biometrics are also known to get confused between two different traces of biometric data. For instance, if twins attempt to utilise Touch ID or identical-looking siblings try to use Face ID, the data can be improperly calibrated.
Changing Bodies
It’s also important to note how our bodies do not remain the same. If our fingers are worn with age, or our facial appearance changes after weight loss, this can make it difficult to gain access to systems that rely on your ‘original’ identification. In the same way, biometrics doesn’t work if our fingers or faces are covered for any reason, which can be a problem when trying to gain access urgently.
The Future
All in all, however, biometrics are a prominent and reliable security feature that have made millions of us safer over the last decade or so. The future’s looking bright, too. With the market for biometric technology expected to grow to around $94.23 billion by 2028, we can expect new, upgraded features to further perfect it as an authentication method. This could include anything from retina scanning, voice detection, and more. Right now, however, our faces and fingerprints remain the most reliable keys.
