Fingerprint Technology is closer than you think

The changes in technology have us astounded on a daily basis and much has been said about keeping relevant with new trends and how this changing environment is improving or cluttering our lives. A couple of years ago you would have marveled at Hollywood’s ability to come up with another futuristic movie that allowed the hero to make use of his fingerprint to do online mobile payments, purchase merchandise offline and sign in to online banking, without making use of codes or credit card details. Now, this idea is our next reality.

According to Simon Leps, CEO of Fonterra Digital Works “Biometric fingerprint authentication technology has already found its way into laptops, external hard-drives, and electronic wallets, and will be made use of in the e-commerce environment going forward as a quick means to make online purchases.”

Employees and customers expect to access online services and e-commerce sites from numerous devices. With password fatigue reaching new heights, many security professionals want stronger authentication methods that eliminate the complexities and risks associated with the integration of online credentials and identity management. Therefore, several companies have started investing in biometric fingerprint authentication.

Galaxy S5 smartphones are leading with this technology in the US allowing customers to purchase goods and services on the Internet using fingerprint authentication on all sites that accept payments via PayPal. This is possible due to the fingerprint scanner located on the phone and the biometric user authentication that accesses the corresponding mobile PayPal app.

However, from a security perspective, there are still several concerns. Experts say only if biometrics is used as an additional form of authentication and not as the sole authentication mechanism, is the technology a sound means of verification. Recently the iPhone 5S and Galaxy S5's fingerprint scanners were bypassed with "dummy fingers" which is an indication that the technology, as a standalone feature, is not yet secure enough.

In light of this, a company in Sweden has put a new twist on biometrics that lets customers at retail outlets simply swipe their hands instead of using credit cards for payments. According to them, scanning veins in the human hand could become the biometric measure of choice for authentication when we pay for things or want to unlock devices such as smartphones. Fingerprints are notoriously easy to lift from surfaces and are not as secure. One of the main benefits of vein scanning is that you don't leave behind vein prints. Most vein scanner technology coming out requires no physical contact, which means there are no residual biometric patterns that could be copied, preventing fraudulent use.

The landscape of mobile payments and payment authentication is rapidly changing as users demand easier but also more secure options. The need for technology-savvy individuals that can navigate the changes successfully and assist companies in providing for their client’s needs is now more important than ever.

Are you looking for a new challenge in the Information Technology industry? We can assist as we work side by side with some of South Africa’s most forward-thinking technology companies. Communicate Recruitment is a specialist IT recruitment company that can help you find your next job opportunity. We have a variety of IT vacancies ranging from Developers, System Engineers, ERP, and much more. Visit our website and apply today!

Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net by two bee