A retail store’s ability to authenticate customers by scanning their unique ear or retinal patterns may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, but this type of identification technology isn’t fictional.
It’s called biometric authentication, and it has grown in popularity as traditional username and password systems for identity protection have led to flaws in data privacy and security.
“Biometrics means moving away from [passwords and personal identification numbers] and using human-related characteristics, because physiological and behavioral patterns are unique to you as an individual and can be used as a better identifier,” Shiraz Saeed, practice leader in Starr Companies’ cyber risk division, said during a panel discussion at the 2018 PLUS Cyber Symposium held last week in Chicago, Ill.
Biometric authentication can include systems such as Apple Pay’s touch ID, Apple’s thumbprint technology, Microsoft Windows 10 and Apple facial recognition technology or even recorded typing rhythm or rhythm of voice.
If someone steals your retinal scan, how do you get that back?
However, in attempts to achieve greater security, is information privacy becoming an…