Growing security concerns have brought in new technologies to be used against crime. Various technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being used to develop newer and better security systems. However, one technology that has been around for a while now but is only recently gaining popularity is biometrics.
What is Biometrics Security?
The history of biometrics dates back to the 1800s, when the Bertillon system utilized fingerprints and pictures to identify people. However, it wasn’t until the early 21st century that biometric technology became more popular and used digitally.
The rise of biometrics was primarily due to increased digital security threats, such as hacking and identity theft. They can also now be used in locks such as safes and even doors in your home. Big tech companies such as Apple even use biometrics in their products, such as the iPhone’s Face ID.
Because of its popularity, the biometrics industry is expected to reach $84 billion by 2026, making it one of the largest security-related industries worldwide.
How Does Biometrics Work?
Biometric security systems identify individuals based on their physical or behavioral characteristics. These characteristics can be anything from fingerprints and iris patterns to facial and voice recognition.
The most common biometric security systems are fingerprint scanners and iris scanners. However, newer methods are starting to use more advanced technologies, such as facial and voice recognition.
Advantages of Biometrics
Convenience
The main advantage of biometrics is that it’s more convenient than other security methods, such as passwords and PIN codes. In addition, you don’t need to remember anything – all you need is your fingerprint or iris scan.
Improved Security
Biometrics is also more secure than traditional security methods because it’s much harder to fake someone’s biometric data. For example, it would be tough to fake someone’s fingerprint or iris scan.
Disadvantages of Biometrics
False Positives
One of the main disadvantages of biometrics is that it can produce false positives. The system might identify an unauthorized person as an authorized user.
False negatives are also possible when the system fails to identify an authorized user. However, this is much less common than false positives.
Privacy Concerns
Another disadvantage of biometrics is that it raises privacy concerns. Some people are worried that their biometric data could be stolen and used to impersonate them.
Lack of Proactive Options
Among all the security devices in the world, biometrics is lagging behind proactive options. When someone breached your biometrics security, you wouldn’t know it happened, especially if they used an acquired fingerprint from you. It’s even harder to trace compared to other options out there. So technically, if a person gets access to your biometrics data, they can use it as much as they want.
Alternatives to Biometrics
If you’re concerned about biometrics’s security or don’t want to use it, other options are available.
Surveillance Systems
Surveillance systems are your best choice if you want a good deterrent for property crime. Unlike biometrics, surveillance systems don’t lack proactive options, especially if you have professionals checking the footage for you. A video surveillance service can ensure that there are eyes 24/7 on your home. They can also report a crime the moment they see it. It’s the most robust proactive option for crimes.
Remember that biometrics aren’t exceptional in deterring criminals, especially stubborn ones. But once they see a surveillance system on your property, they’ll start thinking twice.
Alarms
Alarms are also a good security measure, especially if you have a home automation system. You can set up your alarm to go off the moment someone tries to break in. This will give you time to call the police or take other measures to protect yourself.
Automated Gates and Doors
Automated gates and doors are a good choice if you want to add an extra layer of security to your home. You can open these doors and gates with a remote control, keypad, or fingerprint scanner. They’re often used in commercial properties, but they’re also becoming more popular in homes.
Two-Factor Authentication
Are you worried about the biometrics security of your phone? If so, then you can use two-factor authentication. With this security measure, you’ll need to provide two pieces of information to access your device. This could be a password and a fingerprint scan. Or it could be a PIN code and a facial recognition scan.
Two-factor authentication is more secure than biometrics because it’s much harder to fake two pieces of information. It’s also more convenient than other security measures, such as surveillance systems and alarms.
Summary
Biometrics is a type of security that uses physical or behavioral characteristics to identify individuals. It’s become increasingly popular in recent years, but it has many disadvantages.
If you’re concerned about biometrics’ security, other options are available. Using these options alongside biometrics can drastically increase your security system’s capabilities.
