Source 4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Biometrics

Advantages and Disadvantages of Biometrics
Hilary Reynolds
2021
In 2020, biometric authentication and verification is integral to modern technology. It has

become widespread in more ways than modern users fully understand. Most people use
biometric verification in their everyday lives: at the airport to pass quickly through long
security lines, at their doctor’s office to ensure confidentiality of medical records, or simply
unlocking their phones to respond to a message.
Most common biometric devices today require face recognition and fingerprints to unlock.
However, there are other ways for biometrics to work. There are a wide range of different
‘physical’ characteristics that can be used (like iris or palm shape). In addition, there is a
growing acceptance of behavioral biometrics.
While biometric data and authentication are being adopted in many areas of modern life,
questions arise about the safety and privacy of users.
Biometric authentication refresher

Biometrics are the measurement and analysis of an individual’s physiological or behavioral
traits (Biology + Metrics = Biometrics).
Experts classify authentication of a person’s identity by technology into three parts. These
are knowledge (something the user knows), possession (something the user has), and
inherence (something the user is). Traditional passwords are something the user knows.
Biometrics on the other hand use possession and inherence. When a device uses biometrics
the purpose is to verify the user is who they say they are. This is done by comparing their
biometric input with the data that’s been previously stored – something a user is and has.
There are two main types of biometrics: physiological and behavioral. Physiological
biometrics are often used in things like smartphones. Examples include a person’s
fingerprints, face shape, or eye pattern. Behavioral biometrics are concerned with how a
user acts. This might be how they use a computer mouse or keyboard. Both physiological and
behavioral traits can be converted into data and stored. This information can then be
compared with a user to identify them.
Biometric data can be collected on servers, or stored on the device itself. In some it is more
secure to store data on devices because no biometric information is sent over the internet to
the server.
1
Advantages of biometric authentication
Biometric authentication has a number of advantages:
1. High security and assurance. Biometric identification provides the answers to
“something a person has and is” and helps verify identity
2. User Experience – Easy and fast
3. Non-transferrable – Everyone has unique biometrics
4. Spoof-proof – Biometrics are hard to fake or steal
High security and assurance

Biometrics give more certainty that a person is real. They look at something the user is or has
to verify this. Traditionally, passwords and user names were used for this purpose. However
many user’s passwords have been stolen by hackers. This means a huge number of accounts
can be accessed by criminals. Introducing biometric authentication makes things harder for
the criminals. Even if a criminal knows a user’s password and all their personal information,
they cannot use their fingerprint to unlock an account. Additionally, biometrics can only be
used by living, breathing people. At this point in time, a robot would not be able to pass a
face scan.
User experience is convenient and fast

Biometric authentication is a very complicated, but for the user it is fast and easy. To unlock
an account a user just has to place their finger on a scanner. This is much faster and easier
than typing a long password. To be secure, passwords need to be long and have special
characters. Because of this it is very common for users to forget passwords. This is also not a
problem with biometrics because a user cannot forget their fingerprint.
Non-transferable
Biometric authentication needs the user to be present. It is very easy to transfer a password
to someone else but this cannot be done with fingerprints.
Near spoof-proof
Biometrics, such as face patterns and fingerprints are nearly impossible to copy with current
technology. The chance of a user’s fingerprint matching someone else is one in 64 billion.
This makes it very difficult for hackers trying to access users’ accounts or information.
Disadvantages of biometric authentication

As mentioned, biometrics offers increased security, efficiency, and convenience. However,
there are some concerns about biometric authentication and its uses in modern technology.
1. Costs – Significant investment needed in biometrics for security

2. Data breaches – Biometric databases can still be hacked
3. Tracking and data – Biometric devices like facial recognition systems can limit privacy
for users
4. False positives and inaccuracy – False rejects and false accepts can still occur
preventing select users from accessing systems
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Costs
Biometric systems can be expensive to set up. Companies need to invest a lot of money if
they want to use this technology. In a survey, 67 percent of IT professionals say cost is the
biggest reason for not using biometric authentication. Changing to biometrics systems does
not just mean buying new devices. In fact a company would probably have to upgrade the
rest of their IT systems to work with the new technology. It is also possible they would need
to employ specialized staff.
Data breaches
User information and data are valuable and tend to attract criminals. In particular, businesses
and governments that collect and store users’ personal data are under threat from hackers. If
the data is stolen the results can be very serious. Biometric data is difficult to replace so
companies need to use increased security and caution. Unfortunately, this increased security
is difficult and expensive. If a password or pin is stolen it is quite easy to change it. However,
the same is not true for a person’s physiological or behavioral biometrics.
Tracking and privacy

The privacy of users needs to be taken into consideration. When biometrics are converted
into data and stored, a user runs the risk of leaving a permanent digital record that can be
potentially tracked. As the use of this technology increases, biometric data can become a
permanent digital tag that can be used to track someone. This can be done with or without
their knowledge.
False positives and inaccuracy

Most common biometric authentication methods rely on partial information to authenticate
a user’s identity. For example, a smartphone will scan a whole fingerprint the first time it is
used. However, after this only part of the fingerprint will be scanned to unlock the phone.
This is done because it is faster than matching the whole fingerprint. Because only part of
the print is used, it more common to get a false match. Thus, using artificial intelligence it is
possible to fraudulently crack fingerprint authentication. Currently hackers can achieve a
success rate of 20% by matching similarities of partial prints to the full biometric data.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Biometrics

In 2020, biometric authentication and verification is integral to modern technology. It has

Biometric authentication refresher

High security and assurance

User experience is convenient and fast

Disadvantages of biometric authentication

1. Costs – Significant investment needed in biometrics for security

Tracking and privacy

False positives and inaccuracy

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