Biometric authentication, such as using your fingerprint or face to unlock a device, is incredibly convenient. It offers a fast and seamless way to access your accounts, which is why it has become so popular. However, it is vital for individuals and businesses to understand a critical security principle: biometrics should be treated as a username, not a password. Relying solely on your face or fingerprints as your only security measure can leave you unexpectedly vulnerable.
The “Password on Your Forehead” Problem
The fundamental issue with biometrics is that they are based on information that is, to a large extent, public. Your face is visible to everyone, and it is not practical or socially acceptable to cover it at all times. Likewise, your fingerprints are constantly left on everything you touch—from your coffee mug to a door handle or a handrail.
Using this publicly available information as the sole key to your digital life creates a significant security risk. Using only biometrics for security is like putting a complex password on your forehead and expecting that, because it is hard for people to remember, it is secure. Just because the data is complex does not mean it is secret.
This is similar to the flawed security of using a date of birth as a password. A date of birth is often public information due to social norms, and once compromised, it cannot be changed. Similarly, if your biometric data is replicated, you cannot reset your face or fingerprints like you can a compromised password.
Biometrics and the Illusion of Security
Biometrics often feel secure because they require more effort to bypass than simply typing a wrong password. They are also highly convenient. On devices like mobile phones, which are kept in your possession almost constantly, the physical act of maintaining possession provides a powerful layer of security. This physical control acts as a security layer, making the biometrics appear more secure than they are in isolation.
Furthermore, biometric systems have an “acceptability range.” They do not require a perfect, identical match to grant access, providing room for minor errors or for potential replications to work.
The Coming Threat of Compromise
Any sensitive information, once it becomes valuable, creates a market for tools and methods to compromise it.
- A Growing Market for Exploitation: As biometrics are increasingly adopted for authentication, a market will inevitably be created for that information. This will increase the development of tools, methods, and images to bypass biometrics, much like what has happened with other sensitive data.
- AI and Replication: We predict that cyber attackers will develop advanced AI tools and “noise tools” that can take low-quality biometric information and combine it with specific algorithms to effectively bypass biometric security systems.
- Existing Biometric Databases: Many countries already collect biometrics as an entry requirement, meaning a large amount of this information may already be available in databases, potentially giving cyber attackers the necessary data to bypass your biometric security.
The Secure Approach: Layering Security
A much more robust and safer way to think about biometrics is to view them as a username. The genuine security should then be provided by one or a combination of the following measures:
- A PIN and/or Password: A secret key that can be changed immediately if compromised.
- Physical Possession: Maintaining control over the device or token being used.
- A Hardware Token: A dedicated, physical security device.
Biometrics could be used as a second factor of authentication (2FA), providing an additional step. However, using biometrics as the sole login step is highly flawed.
For true, effective security, your organisation must prioritise robust, multi-layered authentication over simple convenience.
Navigating Your Security Strategy
Navigating the complexities of cybersecurity compliance can be challenging. When considering your security posture, the goal should be to genuinely improve your organisation’s security and resilience against cyber threats.
At Vertex, we focus on quality implementation. If you are concerned about your current security posture or authentication methods, contact the expert team at Vertex. We can provide tailored solutions that prioritise genuine, high-quality protection.