Biometric authentication is defined as a security measure that matches the biometric features of a user looking to access a device or a system. Access to the system is granted only when the parameters match those stored in the database for that particular user. Click here to learn about the basics of biometric authentication and the top seven biometric authentication tools in 2021.
Table of Contents
- What Is Biometric Authentication?
- What Is Multi-Factor Authentication?
- Biometric Authentication vs. Verification
- Benefits of Biometric Authentication for Enterprise Security
- Must-Have Features for Biometric Authentication Tool
- Top 7 Biometric Authentication Tools for Companies in 2021
What Is Biometric Authentication?
Biometric authentication is defined as a security measure that matches the biometric features of a user looking to access a device or a system. Access to the system is granted only when the parameters match those stored in the database for that particular user.
Biometric characteristics are the physical and biological features unique to every individual. These are saved in a database and can be easily compared to the user attempting to access the data or device. Such biometric authentication can be placed in various physical environments such as doors, gates, server rooms, military bases, airports, and ports. Today, biometric authentication tools have become a part of most consumer devices, particularly computers and smartphones.
Types of biometric authentication
Types of Biometric Authentication
1. Fingerprint scanners
Fingerprint scanners — the most common form of biometric authentication method — scan the swirls and ridges unique to every person’s fingertips. Current technological advances have resulted in scanners that go beyond fingerprint ridges to scan for vascular patterns. This has helped bring down false positives that occasionally occur with consumer-grade biometric options found on smartphones. Fingerprint scanners continue to remain the most accessible and popular.
2. Facial recognition
Like the fingerprint scanner, facial recognition technology scans a face based on approved and stored parameters and measurements. These parameters are collectively called faceprints. Access is granted only when a large number of them are satisfied. Despite the inconsistency in matching faces to parameters from different angles or distinguishing between similar or related people, facial recognition is included in several smart devices.
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3. Voice recognition
This version of scanning technologies focuses on vocal characteristics to distinguish one person from another. A voice is captured to a database, and several data points are recorded as parameters for a voiceprint. Vocal recognition technologies focus more on mouth and throat shape formation and sound qualities than merely listening to a voice. This helps reduce the chances of misreading a voice imitation attempt.
4. Eye scanners
Eye scanners include retina and iris scanners. A retina scanner projects a bright light at an eye to highlight blood vessel patterns that a scanner can read. These readings are compared to the information saved in the database. Iris scanners evaluate unique patterns in the colored ring of the pupil. Both scanner forms are ideal for hands-free verification. However, they can be unreliable if a person wears contact lenses or spectacles.
Besides these standard types, biometric authentication tools can serve as two-factor authentication [2FA] or multi-factor authentication [MFA] methods. This either combines multiple biometric patterns or works in tandem with traditional passwords or with a device that supplements a form of biometric verification.
Also Read: Top 11 Facial Recognition Software in 2021
What Is Multi-Factor Authentication?
Multi-factor authentication [MFA] is defined as a form of security that necessitates two or more credentials to authenticate an individual’s identity. They can be passwords, hardware tokens, numerical codes, biometrics, specific times, or even locations. The main benefit of multiple credentials is that even if one factor is compromised, the overall authentication process remains secure.
The most common MFA factors are one-time passwords [OTPs] which are 4 to 8 digit codes received through email, SMS, or even through mobile apps. There are three main types of MFA authentication methods:
- Knowledge: For example, a password or a pin.
- Possession: A badge with a code or a smartphone to receive OTPs.
- Inherence: Biometric recognition methods of fingerprints, voice, or eye scanners.
With MFA increasingly integrating with machine learning and artificial intelligence, authentication methods now include location, where a user trying to gain access will have their IP address and geo-location looked into. There is also risk-based authentication where the system analyzes additional factors such as the device, the time of access, the internet connection, etc. Risk levels and authentication protocols are assessed based on these.
Also Read: Top 10 Multi-Factor Authentication Software Solutions for 2021
Biometric Authentication vs. Verification
Security has been enhanced with the arrival of
biometric authentication. But since it is also a verification process, there can be some confusion in the meaning of the terms. The terms are used interchangeably, but they are different. Here are the key differentiators:
- Order of sequence: In any security process, verification occurs first, followed by authentication.
- What it does: Authentication ascertains whether the individual trying to gain access is who he/she is claiming to be. Verification is the process of associating data stored with the individual seeking access.
- How it functions: In authentication, individuals answer dynamic questions that only they have the answers to. This determines whether they have the necessary credentials to access a system. Verification is where the data provided by the user is matched against previously collected and stored data.
- Where it works best: Authentication adds a layer to the identity confirmation process and is particularly important in determining the authenticity of online transactions. On the other hand, verification is just an additional layer of security used by businesses.
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Benefits of Biometric Authentication for Enterprise Security
In a world that is increasingly going online, protecting personal data and ensuring confidential transactions is a constant challenge. Passwords are fast becoming obsolete, and biometric authentication is increasingly becoming critical to ensuring safety. The global biometric system market size is projected to reach $65.3 billion by 2024, according to MarketsandMarkets. Here’s a closer look at the benefits biometric authentication offers to enterprise security.
Benefits of Biometric Authentication for Enterprise Security
1. Restricts access
Enterprises can restrict access with biometric authentication. Providing access only to a person with the right permissions is critical. There is the added advantage of the stored data for biometrics not lending itself to being duplicated. For example, with a fingerprint reader, data on the finger’s unique swirls is stored and not the actual images of the fingerprint itself. This reduces any chance for a breach of security and reduces the need to update protective passwords continually.
2. Records timeliness
Besides controlling access, biometric access controls are a great way to ensure timeliness within an organization. With fingerprint scanners, log-ins and log-outs of employees can be recorded. This helps in maintaining accurate log sheets as compared to any other traditional form of timekeeping and management.
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3. Enhances security measures
Biometric authentication brings an additional layer to your security systems. It is very difficult to replicate data in the forms of fingerprint, voiceprint, or faceprints, bringing down any chance of theft. Additionally, with such forms of authentication, the chances of employee error are reduced. For example, a stolen or lost key card can be used to steal data — but with authentication, employees don’t have to worry about such things.
4. Replaces passwords
Passwords are simply not enough any longer, even if an organization uses a two-factor password authentication method. This is because people tend to use the same combination of words or numbers or even the same passwords across the board. Cracking this becomes easy for hackers, considering how sophisticated they have become. Biometric authentication completely replaces the need for traditional passwords making it much easier for companies with a large number of employees. It is a system that is not as vulnerable to hackers and removes the need for continually updating passwords.
5. Minimizes human error
Most traditional authentication forms depend on employees -they are responsible for storing passwords, codes, and key cards. A lot is dependent on human error, which is hard to control. Employees can share access details via email, through messages, or verbally — intentionally or unintentionally. Biometric authentication reduces the chances of this significantly and helps enterprises protect themselves. Today, biometric readers are reliable and can ascertain the credentials of an individual from several stored templates.
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6. Eases installation
Installing biometric systems like small fingerprint scanners is quick and easy. It has enabled the process to come as close to plug and play as possible. With enterprises adding more systems, devices, and products to their portfolio each day, having authentication systems that start working immediately is advantageous.
7. Offers reasonable costs
The initial investment in biometric readers accounts for the high cost. After that, it only needs up-gradation to meet the company’s needs — be it an expanding portfolio, an increase in the organization’s size, or its inventory.
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Must-Have Features for Biometric Authentication Tools
All biometric authentication tools should offer some essential features. Here’s what to look for when choosing the right biometric authentication tool for your organization.
Must-Have Features for Biometric Authentication Tools
- Level of accuracy: Evaluation of accuracy is based on several criteria such as error rate, false acceptance rate [FAR], identification rate, false reject rate [FRR], and additional biometric system standards. Enterprises must ensure that the system they choose ranks well on these parameters.
- Anti-spoofing capabilities: With hackers getting more sophisticated, attempts are being made to access systems by interacting with input devices. These are known as spoofing attempts — a direct form of attack. Therefore, a biometric system that comes with strong anti-spoofing capabilities is important for enterprise use.
- Acceptability of modalities: Enterprise systems need to accept various forms of modalities. For example, a fingerprint biometric system can bring out a reformed criminal’s record, which can harm someone trying to turn over a new leaf. There can be some amount of negative perceptions associated with specific modalities. Understanding and choosing the best one for your enterprise is essential.
- Cost-effectiveness: Based on the kind of biometric hardware modalities a company chooses, finding a vendor to provide quality services and products at reasonable prices is essential. But, do remember that the initial investment, even if deemed high, is recovered soon in terms of return on investment [ROI].
- Hygiene: In biometric hardware where contact is inevitable, the question of hygiene arises — especially when contactless interaction is the need of the hour. Contactless systems have an advantage that companies need to consider when making a choice. .
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Top 7 Biometric Authentication Tools for Companies in 2021
Today, biometric authentication offers various architectures, solutions, and choices of devices. Businesses looking for strong user authentication should consider deploying biometric authentication for end-to-end security. However, they should first understand their business needs and existing infrastructures when shortlisting a solution. When deployed properly, this technology can offer several benefits to an organization. Here are seven tools that should be on your list in 2021.
Disclaimer: These listings [arranged alphabetically] are based on publicly available information and include vendor websites that sell to mid-to-large enterprises. Readers are advised to conduct their own final research to ensure the best fit for their unique organizational needs.
1. Centrify
Overview: Centrify’s Adaptive Multi-factor Authentication leverages WebAuthn API for password-free authentication. It can easily integrate into device hardware irrespective of whether they are built-in scanners or external authenticators.
Features: Centrify comes with great features like functioning as an identity broker, auditing and compliance, assistance with shared account passwords, privileged access management, etc. It also offers single sign-on, enterprise-level mobility management, secure remote access, and automated account management.
Technical specifications: It supports web-based devices, iOS, Android, and desktop. It integrates with Concur, Netskope, Amazon Web Services, Netsuite, Box, Dropbox, and Google Apps for work.
Pricing: The application and endpoint services for Centrify start at $4 per month per user, whereas the infrastructure services start at $12 per month per user. Add-ons cost $3 per month per user. All prices are based on a minimum one-year contract and come with standard support.
Editorial comments: The key benefits of Centrify lie in its ability to provide unified security solutions and identity management. Additionally, it offers multi-platform integration. However, the initial set-up of Centrify can be complicated. The solution needs better integration with third-party solutions. In its current form, the support for other tools is weak.
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2. Fischer Identity
Overview: Fischer Identity provides identity authentication through five authentication factors, including biometrics, to prevent password vulnerabilities. The biometrics it offers lends itself easily to multifactor authentication protocols that work with diverse characteristics. It can also be tweaked to fit in various contexts. Fischer’s architecture removes the customization. This is great for enterprises that want a hassle-free set-up of authentication policies.
Features: Its main features include access certification, compliance management, multi-factor authentication, and password management. It also includes the setup for privileged account management, self-service access requests, single sign-on, and user provisioning.
Technical specifications: It can only be deployed on web-based, Cloud, and SaaS set-ups. It integrates with Office365, Workday, and Oracle.
Pricing: Not provided by the vendor.
Editorial Comments: Fischer Identity provides in-person and online training and has 24/7 live representatives available to provide support. However, the system can be tricky to configure. Users have also reported that the implementation took them longer than expected.
3. HID Global
Overview: HID Global is an extended access technology that has created its multispectral imaging technology called Lumidigm for biometric security. They have also integrated technologies like liveness detection, spoof prevention, and proof of life. The service also provides tamper-proofing of biometric tools and data encryption.
Features: HID provides a comprehensive set of access control services, including mobile access, real-time monitoring, scalability, and cost control features. Access control is provided with ID cards and, more recently, through mobile apps. Its Lumidigm captures fingerprints on the surface and subsurface level through multiple wavelengths, angles, and orientations.
Technical specifications: It provides mobile access integration services. It also has a technology partner service [TPS] that helps potential partners integrate their existing infrastructure to HID mobile access.
Pricing: The pricing varies depending on the level of customization required by an organization. Minimal customization costs approximately $2500 for up to 2 systems, whereas standard customization costs around $10,000 for three to five systems. Complete customization, on the other hand, costs up to $25,000 for more than five systems.
Editorial comments: HID Global offers flexible credential devices, including smartwatches. It also uses open security standards that continuously evolve and are updated. However, this biometric authentication tool is not entirely cloud-based. Smartphone credentials and readers have to be locally hosted, and only then can they be synchronized with the cloud. Prices on the site are unclear, leading to budgeting trouble.
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4. Identity Automation
Overview: Identity Automation offers the RapidIdentity MFA package, which covers enterprises across all access entry points. It includes coverage of the active directory, offline desktops, on-premise applications, and the cloud. Identity Automation also includes fingerprint biometrics and a user-selected PIN at the time of enrollment. Besides, RapidIdentity MFA also supports embedded and USB-based fingerprint sensors.
Features: The product looks after the identity life cycle. It handles entitlements management, access requests, workflow, policy, role management, and access certification. It also offers password management, reporting, analytics, auditing, ease of deployment, scalability, and performance.
Technical specifications: Integration of Identity Automation is easy, the key benefit being its single sign-on option.
Pricing: Not provided by the vendor.
Editorial comments: Identity Automation ranks high on the ease of use scale. It has several advanced features that businesses can utilize. It enables easy integration and quality support. However, the scanner can cause delays in reading fingerprints. Moreover, users may find the software lacking in the documentation. The software lacks any documentation that can help with client deployment or customization.
5. Imageware Systems
Overview: ImageWare Biometric Engine offers enterprises a scalable, multi-modal biometric set-up for identity management. This vendor’s services can be availed as a part of a biometric enrollment that is web-based. It can also be accessed through biometric identification technology. Imageware utilizes one or more biometric factors and conducts 1:1 biometric searches in its verification process.
Features: This tool has exclusive rights to capture biometric on a range of devices such as kiosks, cameras, fingerprint scanners, microphones, and iris scanners. This gives enterprises the flexibility to choose a mode they prefer. One can enroll on one device and authenticate it on another.
Technical specifications: It integrates with RunMyProcess and GoVerifyID.
Pricing: Not provided by the vendor.
Editorial comments: Imageware ranks high on product functionality and performance, all provided at reasonable costs. The technology helps a person set up a digital identity with biometrics and have that authenticated through any other device. Besides, Imageware has created an IWS Biometric Engine, making it the only real-time, multimodal biometric platform in the market that does not require a middleware.
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6. LastPass
Overview: LastPass is a password generator that mainly and focuses on password management. However, it also integrates into systems as part of the two-factor authentication system.
Features: LastPass helps teams and businesses take control of their identity management. It provides simple control and unified visibility across every entry point to your business, with intuitive access and a multi-factor authentication experience that works on everything from cloud and mobile apps to legacy on-premise tools. From single sign-on [SSO] and password management to adaptive multi-factor authentication [MFA], LastPass Identity gives control to IT and frictionless access to users, helping businesses be more secure, maintain compliance, and increase productivity.
Technical specifications: It integrates with several platforms, including Azure AD.
Pricing: The premium package of LastPass costs $3 a month where monthly billing is done annually, whereas its family package costs$4 a month where monthly billing is done annually.
Editorial comments: LastPass makes it easy to share and manage passwords, bank account information, and relevant addresses. Browser plug-ins for integration are easy to understand. It also allows easy access through the chrome plugin. However, some users may find it disappointing that some personal data formats cannot be used in form-filling. Besides, LastPass does not provide U2F support and still offers some outdated options.
7. RSA SecurID Access Overview
Overview: With RSA SecurID Access, users can access it from any device and anywhere. They also access applications they may specifically need, such as those on cloud or on-premises. RSA SecurID Access enables organizations to consistently focus on dynamic risk-driven access policies for seamless authentication experiences.
Features: Among access control types, it offers endpoint access, local access, and supports bringing your own device [BYOD] users. It provides multi-operating system support and cross-browser support, along with failover protection.
Technical specifications: It supports SSO through web and proxy agents, SAML or oAuth, and WS-Federation authentication.
Pricing: RSA’s base edition costs $1 to $3 per user per month, whereas its enterprise and premium editions cost up to $5 per user per month.
Editorial comments: RSA is well known for its ease of installation on a server and ease of connecting with several applications. The tool also has a password policy enforcement and administrative console on offer. However, centralizing access is an unnecessary nuisance. Plus, its support of biometrics and smart card access is not optimal.
In conclusion
Biometric recognition provides an added security layer since it links an individual with their personal data record. This could include fingerprints, faceprints, or voiceprints. Biometric authentication combines with other forms of security, strengthening an enterprise’s overall security — it is instrumental in guarding against the creation of multiple identities.
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