Biometrics (biometric identification)

What is biometrics in simple words

Biometrics (biometric identification) is a technology in which your unique physical features serve as a "password": fingerprint, face, voice or iris. The system scans your biometric feature, turns it into a digital code and checks it against what is stored in the database. This is convenient and secure, since it is impossible to forget your biometric data or transfer it to another person.

Imagine that you enter a building where instead of a guard there is a camera that looks at you, recognizes your face and opens the door. Or you unlock a smartphone by simply placing your finger on the sensor. Or you order a pizza by phone, and the system recognizes you by your voice — no need to give the address and name. All this is biometrics in action.

Biometrics is used everywhere: in smartphones, banks, airports, enterprises and government systems. It provides a high level of security and convenience, since biometric characteristics cannot be forgotten, lost or transferred to another person (unlike a password or bank card).

Biometric data is personal data, and its processing is regulated by 152-FZ "On Personal Data". The Unified Biometric System (UBS) has been created in Russia for remote identification of citizens, which allows receiving government and banking services without personal presence.

Biometric characteristics

There are several main biometric methods that differ in accuracy, convenience and scope of application:

• Fingerprints: The most common and accessible method. Used in AFIS (for law enforcement), in access control systems (ACS) and in mobile devices. Provides high accuracy at low equipment cost. The Biomark product implements fingerprint identification for corporate systems.
• Face recognition: A contactless method that is becoming increasingly popular. Used in video surveillance systems, ACS, banking applications and government systems. The Biovizum product provides high-precision face recognition for access control and verification.
• Iris recognition: One of the most accurate biometric methods. The probability of a false match is 1 in 10 million. Used in systems with the highest security requirements: at secure facilities, airports, bank vaults.
• Voice biometrics: Recognition by voice characteristics. Used in banking systems for phone verification, in voice assistants and in remote service systems. Does not require special equipment — a microphone is enough.

Biometric methods provide a high level of security, since characteristics cannot be forgotten or transferred to another person. However, CIPF tools and VPN are used to protect biometric data during transmission and storage, which guarantees their confidentiality.

It is important to note that modern biometric systems use not the images or recordings themselves, but their mathematical templates (feature vectors). This means that even if an attacker gains access to the database, they will not be able to restore the original face or voice image — only a mathematical code that is useless without a comparison system.

Application of biometrics

Biometrics is used in a wide variety of areas, and its application is constantly expanding:

• Access control systems (ACS): At enterprises, in offices and at secure facilities for identifying employees and visitors. Biometrics provides a high level of security and eliminates the possibility of using someone else's passes.
• Banking: For remote client verification when opening accounts, issuing loans and making transactions. Banks use biometrics to confirm identity in mobile applications and at branches.
• Government services: In the Unified Biometric System (UBS) for remote identification of citizens when receiving government services. This allows receiving services without a personal visit to offices.
• Law enforcement: In AFIS for solving crimes, identifying suspects and maintaining fingerprint records.
• Transport and logistics: At airports for accelerated passport control, in fare payment systems and in logistics centers for driver identification.

The Biomark and Biovizum products provide comprehensive solutions for biometric identification, covering the main methods: fingerprints and face recognition. This allows organizations to choose the optimal solution for their tasks and security requirements.

The design service includes the development of a biometric system architecture: selection of equipment and software, design of integration with existing systems, development of security policies and staff training. Read more about biometric solutions in the technologies section.