Unified Biometric System (UBS)
The UBS is a government platform for remote biometric identification of Russian citizens when receiving financial and other services.
Contents
What is the Unified Biometric System in simple words
The Unified Biometric System (UBS) is a government information system that allows Russian citizens to confirm their identity remotely, without a personal visit to bank offices or government institutions. Instead of presenting a passport every time, you can submit your biometric data (face image and voice) once, and then use it to confirm your identity when receiving various services.
Imagine that you have a digital passport that is always with you and cannot be lost or forgotten at home. This is exactly how the UBS works: your face and voice become your unique identifier, which allows you to confirm your identity anywhere in the country where there is internet access.
The operator of the UBS is the Center for Biometric Technologies. The system allows receiving financial and government services remotely using biometric data in combination with a Gosuslugi portal account. This greatly simplifies the receipt of services and saves citizens' time.
The UBS is a key element of the country's digital infrastructure, providing secure and convenient identity confirmation without a personal visit to offices. The system is actively developing and constantly expanding the list of services available using biometrics.
How the UBS works
The UBS registration process includes several stages:
- Confirmation of a Gosuslugi account: You must have a verified account on the Gosuslugi portal. This guarantees that you are a real person with confirmed documents.
- Submitting biometrics at an authorized organization: You come to a bank or another authorized institution, where a specialist photographs you with a special camera and records a sample of your voice. The procedure takes a few minutes and is completely voluntary.
- Uploading data to the system: Your biometric data is uploaded to the UBS and linked to your Gosuslugi account.
After registration, a citizen can open accounts, obtain loans, sign documents and receive other services remotely. To do this, it is enough to confirm your identity using biometrics when making a transaction — for example, look into the smartphone camera or say a certain phrase.
The data is protected in accordance with 152-FZ "On Personal Data" using certified CIPF tools. Biometric templates are stored in encrypted form and do not contain face or voice images, which excludes their use outside the system. This means that even if attackers gain access to the database, they will not be able to restore your face or voice from the mathematical templates stored there.
It is important to note that the storage and use of biometrics in the UBS is regulated by law. You can withdraw your consent to the use of biometric data at any time, and it will be deleted from the system.
Security requirements
The UBS imposes high security requirements both at the collection stage and at the stage of storage and use of biometric data:
- Data encryption: All biometric data is stored in encrypted form using certified CIPF tools. This guarantees that even with unauthorized access, the data will remain unreadable.
- Secure communication channels: Data transfer between banks, government bodies and the UBS is carried out through secure channels using VPN and other protection tools.
- Liveness detectors: When submitting biometrics, the system checks that there is a live person in front of it, not a photo or video recording. This prevents fraud.
- Software and hardware complexes: Certified protection tools, including the Biomark and Biovizum products, are used to integrate with the UBS.
Protected monitoring technology ensures control over the security of transmitted data at all stages of interaction with the UBS. This allows timely detection and prevention of unauthorized access attempts.
The design service includes the development of an integration architecture with the UBS. This is an important stage, since incorrect integration can lead to system failures and data loss. Read more about solutions in the technologies section.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am in the Unified Biometric System?
You can find out whether your biometric data is registered in the UBS through the Gosuslugi portal. Log in, go to the "Profile" section — "Biometrics" tab. If the data has not been submitted, it will say "Biometrics is not registered". You can also check on the official UBS website by logging in through Gosuslugi. There you can also withdraw consent and delete data. The Biomark and Biovizum products are used for biometric identification.
Which banks are connected to the Unified Biometric System?
Many large banks are connected to the UBS: Sovcombank, T-Bank, Raiffeisenbank, Bank Finservice and others. The full list of partners is available on the official UBS website. Banks use the UBS for remote client identification when opening accounts and issuing loans. The Biomark and Biovizum products are used for biometric identification in corporate systems. Read more about solutions in the technologies section.
Why does the state need my biometrics?
The state needs biometrics for remote confirmation of citizens' identity when receiving financial and government services. This allows replacing a personal visit to a bank or government office, speeds up service and increases security. Biometric data is protected in accordance with 152-FZ and stored using certified CIPF tools. The Biomark and Biovizum products provide secure biometric identification.
Where is biometrics in Gosuslugi?
You can check the presence of biometrics in your personal account on the Gosuslugi portal. Log in, click on the profile icon, select the "Profile" tab and go to the "Biometrics" section. There the data status, biometrics type (simplified, standard or confirmed) and validity period will be displayed. You can also check the status through the "Gosuslugi Biometrics" application. The Biomark and Biovizum products provide biometric identification.
What does biometrics give in a bank?
Biometrics in a bank allows confirming your identity remotely, without presenting a passport. This speeds up opening accounts, issuing loans and other financial services. Banks use the UBS to verify clients' authenticity and protect against fraudsters. For corporate systems, biometric identification is provided by the Biomark and Biovizum products. The design service will help implement biometric identification in your organization.
Can I pay in Russia using face biometric identification?
Yes, in Russia you can pay using face biometric identification. Russian banks use face authentication to pay for purchases, preventing the use of photos or masks. Face data is stored in the government biometric system. The function can be disabled in the banking application. The Biomark and Biovizum products are used for biometric identification in corporate systems.
Why is a biometric passport dangerous?
A biometric passport contains an electronic chip with the owner's biometric data. The main risks are associated with the possibility of unauthorized data reading in the absence of protection. However, modern passports use encryption and protected protocols. In Russia, biometric data is protected in accordance with 152-FZ. The Biomark and Biovizum products provide secure biometric identification. We also recommend familiarizing yourself with the fingerprinting method.
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Unified Biometric System (UBS)
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