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Do Biometrics Create A False Sense Of Security In A Business?

IT Security, IT Trends

Biometric Scanner Inteck IT

TL;DR: The answer is no. Biometrics do no create a false sense of security in a business. Biometrics can ensure a great level of security in a business as long as the technology is updated constantly and the business opts for well-tested biometric security systems. If you’re interested in implementing a biometrics security system in your business, give us a call at 1300 39 65 65 and we’ll identify the best option for your business.

Do Biometrics Create A False Sense Of Security In A Business?

All of us may be humans in the end, but each human is unique, from the smallest trace of the uniqueness of a person like their DNA to the more prominent marks such as fingerprints, iris patterns, and faces. Technology has progressed at such a fast rate that security systems that make use of passwords have become primitive.

As more and more methods of fortifying security measures have been found out, the means of breaking and bypassing those barriers have also increased. At this time, biometrics are at the epitome of security systems. It is unique to each person and requires a physical presence to get through. It makes it near impossible to bypass them. At times, the question arises in your mind: “Do biometrics creates a false sense of security in a business?”. We are going to tackle this question in this article.

Types of different biometric authentication and their work process

Biometric security systems use different unique identification traits present on the body of every person to determine their identity. These traces are identified using various sensors that makeup scanners. The different biometric scanners that are widely used in businesses are:

  1. Fingerprint scanners: the most common and widely used biometric authentication system is the fingerprint authentication system. First of all, when an employee or a significant person enters a business, his fingerprint is recorded. Next time a fingerprint scanner is used to scan hiss fingerprint and to cross-check with the scan stored in the records. It makes sure that only registered and recognised personnel can access business information. Furthermore, fingerprint scanners are also used at entrances for attendance capture and security.
  2. Iris Scanners: the second more prevalent biometric authentication system that is used is the iris scanner. The iris scanner is somewhat similar to that of the fingerprint scanner. It scans the person’s iris and then matches that to the image that is stored in the database. In this way, the identity of the person is authenticated. Iris scanners are rather bulky and a bit slow. Therefore it is not used everywhere. Only in some situations, where the integrity of the security system is essential, it is used.
  3. Facial scanners: facial scanners are a relatively new system of biometric authentication. The special aspect of facial recognition systems is that they need to be aided by artificial intelligence. It is because of some of the facial features like facial hair and makeup change from time to time. If the facial scanner system is not smart enough to understand that, then it will fail to authenticate.

All of these biometric security systems have gone through high levels of research and development. It makes them highly reliable and secure. Higher the level of security provided by the systems, the higher is the level of cost. It makes the businesses choose biometric systems, which are a few generations behind. Doing this compromises the integrity of the security system.

Characteristics of an excellent biometric security system

There are some characters of every biometric system that differentiate it from the others. Some of the characters are required to be present to make it a proper security system. Some of those features are:

  1. 3D mapping – the scanners should be able to take a 3D scan of whatever it scans. In short, they should be able to gather depth information. The reason being it is easy to trick 2D scanners with images. Optical scanners should be avoided. Optical scanners use pictures for the authentication process. Ultrasonic scanners are the best choice in this regard.
  2. Artificial intelligence – the biometric security systems should be equipped with artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence makes the biometric system intelligent enough to understand changes and understand when it is being tricked. It is most prevalent within facial recognition systems — some facial features like wrinkles, facial hairs, pimples, and scars change over time. If the facial recognition systems are not intelligent enough to understand that, then it can be fooled.
  3. Flexibility – the biometric systems should be able to work in different kinds of situations. If the systems are to work in a specific environment, then they can be compromised in some other setting. For example, if iris and facial scanners are not fitted with proper infrared scanning technology, they can authenticate a different iris in the lack of adequate light. The same scenario is true for facial recognition systems.
  4. Encryption – the total biometric system and its link to the servers should be appropriately encrypted so that a third party cannot access the biometric records that are stored. The use of an industry-level encryption system should be present within the biometric system.
Are biometrics safe?

Coming back on the topic of tackling the question of “Do Biometrics Create A False Sense Of Security In A Business?”, the answer is that usually it does not. The different kinds of biometric security systems have come through a lot of research and development. They are the most mature type of security systems out there. Furthermore, no other kind of security system has reached this level of integrity. Biometric systems are the only type of authentication systems that make the person themselves the key to gain access. It means that without the knowledge and presence of the person, it is impossible to break through the security.

The biometric systems might not be false, but the businesses themselves can create such type of scenario. The companies might opt for outdated and inexpensive systems to cut down on the costs. Those outdated systems might cause a real problem. So it is ascertained that the biometric systems themselves do not create a false sense of security; it is the businesses themselves that create it. Reckless choice and cost-cutting lead to this scenario.

Security is one such thing where cost-cutting methods should not be applied. After reading this article, all such allegations regarding the biometric systems should be tackled with transparency.

 

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