What is biometric identity verification?
With an ever-increasing number of services available online, personal data is more frequently finding its way into the hands of fraudsters thanks to data breaches, social engineering, and the dark web. The dark web facilitates the transfer of people’s identity details, like name, address, date of birth, and even bank details.
This is why businesses are looking for a more secure way to ensure they are dealing with someone they trust. Passwords, pin numbers, one-time-passcodes or security questions are less trustworthy than something that’s unique to a person, and near-impossible to replicate, like biometrics. But what are biometrics?
Biometrics are the unique biological characteristics of a person – like their face, fingerprint, or voice – that can be used to identify them. Biometrics are frequently used in identity verification and identity authentication processes because they are an inherently more secure, accurate and convenient way of identifying that an individual is who they are claiming to be.
Biometric identity verification refers to the process of using these characteristics to confirm that someone is who they claim to be. It is frequently used alongside biometric authentication, and both are considered inherently more secure, accurate, and convenient than traditional methods.
The uniqueness and permanence of biometric data makes it a useful and reliable method for both identity verification and identity authentication.
Biometric identity verification and identity authentication: what’s the difference?
Although commonly used interchangeably, these two terms describe distinctly different processes.
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Biometric identity verification is the process of confirming that someone is who they claim to be. It usually happens when establishing a relationship for the first time, for example, when opening a new bank account, or signing up for a new service. It’s an incredibly important part of establishing a trusted relationship between a business and a consumer (or between two businesses), so much so that regulated businesses and those that fall within the purview of anti-money laundering guidelines are provided detailed advice on how to implement their identity verification processes, either by regulators, government, or independent advisory groups.
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Biometric identity authentication is the process of checking that the person trying to access a service has permission to do so; that they are the same person that the business has seen before, and trusts. This can include logging into an account or making a transaction.
Biometrics play a key role in both processes. In identity verification, the conventional way of proving someone’s identity could have involved presenting identity documents (like a passport or driver’s license) in-person. In the world of digital services this is inconvenient, at best. Biometrics can now be used as part of a remote identity verification process that includes taking a photo of an official identity document and a selfie (for comparison). In identity authentication, the user’s face, fingerprint or voice can be used to log them into their account quickly and securely, often as an alternative to passwords or PIN codes.
Why biometric identity verification is critical today
In an era where cyber threats, identity theft, and fraudulent activities are on the rise, robust and reliable identity verification is more important than ever, and here’s why biometrics in that process is so critical:
1. Enhanced security (but not at the expense of user experience)
Identity verification can happen online, where consumers can prove their identity with photos of their face and passport. This provides a much more user and security friendly experience. Biometrics used and stored as part of the verification process can also be used to improve the security of the login process, enabling users to login with just their face and/or voice (for example) without having to remember a password or submit to another form of equally insecure credentialling.
2. Better fraud prevention and risk mitigation
With cybercriminals continuously developing new tactics to steal identities and breach accounts, biometric verification and authentication serves as a powerful deterrent against fraud. By analyzing a person’s biometrics rather than relying on something they know or have, biometric systems significantly reduce the risk of identity theft, unauthorized access, and financial fraud. This is particularly crucial in industries where security breaches can result in severe financial and reputational damage.
3. Regulatory compliance
With the continued advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, the use of biometrics during verification and authentication offers an advanced way to tackle emerging threats, and a way for businesses to assure regulators they are doing their utmost to protect themselves and their customers from fraudsters.
What is the biometric verification process?
Biometric identity verification is a multi-step security process that confirms an individual’s identity by capturing, analyzing and storing a coded and secure version of their unique biological traits. These traits can include facial recognition, voice recognition, or other physical attributes.
This process ensures high accuracy and security while minimizing risks. The biometric verification process generally follows these key steps:
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Capture – A biometric sensor collects the individual's biological data, such as a fingerprint scan, facial image, or voice sample. Depending on the system, this may involve a camera, fingerprint scanner, microphone, or other specialized biometric capture devices. Users are also prompted to take a photo of their identity document.
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Analysis – Document, face or voice liveness can determine whether the document, selfie or voice recording has been made by a real person and can look for signs of tampering within the sample to ensure it is legitimate. Analysis can also look for signs of deepfakes, or image tampering.
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Verification – To prove the person completing the process is the owner of the identity document, a comparison is made between the selfie and the photo in the ID document.
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Data Conversion – The raw biometric data is processed and converted into a digital template using advanced algorithms. These algorithms extract unique features from the biometric input, such as fingerprint ridges, facial structure points, or voice frequencies, ensuring the data is accurately represented in a compact and encrypted format.
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Authentication enrollment – Upon completion of the identity verification process, the user has the option to enroll their stored biometric for use in a password-less authentication process later e.g. for faster, more secure login to an account, or authorizing a transaction.
How does biometrics strengthen digital security?
Biometric identity verification and authentication can significantly improve digital security in several ways:
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Minimizes risk during identity verification: Biometrics add greater assurance to the identity verification process by accurately matching a person to their trusted identity document. Additional layers often contained within a biometric system, like liveness, deepfake detection, or image manipulation detection, give further confidence that the person is real and not a fraudster.
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Added convenience and improved user experience at onboarding: Biometric identity verification has transformed the traditional identity verification process, which would often require a consumer to present their identity document(s) in person – say, at a branch of their bank. Now, with biometric systems, a full identity verification check can happen remotely. Consumers can now do things like apply for a loan without ever having to go into a branch, or hand their ID over to another person, drastically improving the user experience.
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Elimination of weak passwords: Data breaches, social engineering and poor password practices have all contributed to the growing insecurity of passwords as a form of account security. Biometrics can be used instead to create a password-less alternative to accessing an account; one that is significantly more secure and user-friendly.
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Prevent account take-over: Biometrics used as part of an authentication process are inherently more secure than passwords. Even multi-factor authentication that relies on methods like one-time-passcodes or PINs are vulnerable to interception and cannot match the security of biometrics.
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Reduces fraud in financial transactions: Biometrics can support more secure and user-friendly high-risk transactions and prevent fraudulent payments being made.
Industry use cases for biometric identity verification and authentication
Biometric security is transforming digital transactions and identity verification across various industries. Some key areas where biometric authentication enhances security include:
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Financial services & banking: Biometric authentication prevents fraud and secures transactions by allowing customers to verify their identity using fingerprint scans, facial recognition, or voice biometrics. This reduces the risk of account takeovers and unauthorized access.
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Healthcare & patient identification: Biometric verification ensures accurate patient identification, preventing medical fraud and streamlining healthcare services. Hospitals use biometric authentication to securely access patient records and safeguard sensitive information.
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E-commerce & retail: Retailers implement biometric authentication for secure online payments, reducing fraud and enhancing customer trust. Features like facial recognition for checkout processes simplify the user experience while strengthening security.
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Workplace security & access control: Organizations use biometric security systems to regulate employees' access to sensitive areas. Facial recognition, fingerprint scanners, and iris recognition ensure that only authorized personnel can enter restricted zones, improving workplace security.
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Travel & immigration: Airports and immigration departments leverage biometric authentication for seamless passenger verification. Facial recognition and biometric passports streamline border control processes, reducing identity fraud and improving travel efficiency.
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Government & law enforcement: Governments utilize biometric technology for national identity programs, border control, and criminal investigations. Facial recognition and fingerprint databases help verify identities and enhance public safety.
The future of secure digital identity
As cyber threats continue to evolve, biometric identity verification and authentication stands at the forefront of modern security solutions. By leveraging unique biological traits, biometrics provide a level of protection that surpasses traditional verification and authentication methods, reducing fraud, streamlining user experiences, and ensuring secure access across industries. From financial services and healthcare to law enforcement and e-commerce, the widespread adoption of biometric security is shaping a future where identity verification and authentication is seamless, reliable, and nearly impossible to compromise.
As technology advances, further enhancing biometrics with artificial intelligence and machine learning will improve accuracy, efficiency, and security for greater fraud protection for businesses. Organizations that prioritize biometric verification and authentication will not only strengthen their cybersecurity measures but also improve user trust and satisfaction in an increasingly digital world.
Biometric identity verification is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a necessity in today’s digital landscape. By embracing these innovations, businesses and individuals can safeguard their data, streamline authentication, and navigate the digital age with confidence.
Learn more about biometric identity verification and how Mitek can help
About Sean Meagher - Sr. Product Marketing Manager at Mitek
Sean Meagher is a Sr. Product Marketing Manager at Mitek