CIO opinion
CIO OPINION
it must be recognised that the opportunities
are far greater than just for security. time they travel – and thereby significantly
improve their overall experience.
In fact, as widespread adoption of digital
technologies such as cloud computing,
Machine Learning (ML) and Internet
of Things (IoT) continues to grow in
mainstream markets, we are seeing faster
innovation in the biometrics space too.
And, while uses and uptake for mobile
and multimodal identity management
solutions will still grow significantly in the
coming years, parallel to this, we are also
seeing exciting developments in solutions
that meet new uses or applications –
offering consumers increased convenience
and enhanced experiences across more
mainstream markets. While it is uncertain if biometrics will ever
replace the need to apply for and/or renew
one’s passport – advances in biometrics
make a strong business case for frictionless
authentication and paperless airport
transfers. However, the aviation and travel
industries aren’t alone in cottoning onto
‘frictionless authentication’.
As we closely follow developments across
global markets, I’ve identified three uses or
applications where I believe biometric-based
solutions will increasingly be deployed:
Biometrics to introduce paperless
airport transfers
There have been a number of developments
and pilot programmes rolled out in airports
across the world; aimed at capturing, storing
and making use of an individual’s biometrics
as a form of authenticating a traveller’s
identity. The move to biometrics can be
underpinned by two key drivers; increased
security at/through airports and improving
the customer/traveller experience.
From a security point-of-view, it is
well recognised that there is a global
phenomenon with fake documents, including
passports, and linked to identity theft.
However, the introduction of multimodal
biometric solutions – which generally involve
an Automated Biometric Identification
System (ABIS) as the basis and offers far
more accurate identity verifications. And
when these systems are securely integrated
with appropriate databases, they are also
able to deliver reliable results instantly.
Biometrics-based security protocols also
create opportunities to streamline and speed
up check-ins, customs and border control,
and transfers at airports. This can reduce
customer and traveller stress points and
frustrations – of having to stand in queues
and produce multiple documents every
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INTELLIGENTCIO
Frictionless authentication
for payments
Driven by a heightened sense of competition
– from traditional and non-traditional
players, the banking industry in many
markets around the world is arguably among
the earlier adopters of new tech, as there is
a strong direct correlation between offering
innovation solutions and enhanced customer
experience and retention.
Added to this, given the propensity of risk in
financial services, this industry has a greater
need to be able to offer customers strong
security protocols – and are compelled
by regulation to ensure their customers’
data and their money is protected. It’s not
surprising then that banks are starting to
incorporate biometrics-based solutions into
their business (from fingerprint capturing
for identification authentication and as
a security metric to protect a customer’s
accounts) to fingerprint and facial
recognition as a frictionless extra layer
of security to authenticate and approve
payments. To demonstrate this massive
market potential, research suggests that
there will be over 2.6 billion payment users
by 2023.
Identity management takes on behavioural
biometrics with digital signature verification
Behavioural biometrics go hand-in-hand with
digital and frictionless identity management
– the only difference is that it’s the process
or application of authenticating an individual
based on their unique behavioural traits,
rather than their physical characteristics.
The earliest noted behavioural trait is the
signature and even digital signatures have
a history of development that dates back
to the late 1970s. It should be noted that a
digital signature still makes use of physical
biometrics, and most commonly fingerprints,
whereby unique bar codes are created from
the fingerprint pattern or image.
Due to widespread digital adoption and as
more businesses and consumers alike, look to
automate and streamline as many processes
and/or tasks, it’s not surprising that digital
signatures as a form of biometrics is
currently receiving a lot more attention.
Adoption is largely dependent on a case-by-
case growing need for effective authentication,
security and control linked to specific actions.
For example, using a digital signature as an
extra line of security to authenticate a user’s
identity during a digital transaction.
However, the acceptance and adoption
rate of digital signatures will strongly be
influenced by cyber laws and industry
specific regulation of individual markets.
These are only a few of the uses or
applications for biometrics that are starting to
emerge and receive a lot of attention, though
there are many more currently being explored
and across varying markets and industries,
from travel to healthcare, for example.
What is interesting to note though is that
all of these uses and applications are still
dependent on the one basic principle of
biometrics – to accurately identity an
individual – and then to address a need or
action. It is a fascinating space and we will
continue to keep you updated on the big
movers and developments. n
“
BEHAVIOURAL
BIOMETRICS
GO HAND-IN-
HAND WITH
DIGITAL AND
FRICTIONLESS
IDENTITY
MANAGEMENT.
www.intelligentcio.com