Multi-modal biometrics the next step in industry evolution argues FPC Principal Scientist

The next step in biometrics, as people become used to the technology and their rising expectations for convenient security run up against practical issues ranging from mask-wearing and hygienic concerns to cold weather, is multi-modal authentication, according to a blog post from Fingerprint Cards.

The post by FPC Principal Scientist Mikkel B. Stegmann argues that while false rejections have been substantially reduced by extensive research and development, there are limits to the capabilities of any single modality. Face and iris systems are now much more tolerant of processes carried out in bright sunlight, and leading fingerprint scanners can read slightly damp fingers, but multimodality greatly expands the effectiveness of biometrics. Stegmann also notes that 38 percent of consumers told a company survey that they already would prefer to use dual biometric authentication.

Being able to switch between modalities could open up the use of biometric smartphone unlocking while on a ski hill, in one example provided, and having multiple biometrics enrolled reduces the chances of a lockout. Another major benefit of multi-modal biometrics is accommodating people who are physically restricted from using certain methods, such as people who have scar tissue on their fingertips.

The virtual impossibility of successfully spoofing multiple modalities, and the enhanced security of layering multiple biometrics is another advantage of the approach.

Article Topics

authentication  |  biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  fingerprint biometrics  |  Fingerprint Cards  |  iris recognition  |  multi-modal  |  multimodal biometrics