Biometric Security System| DROP Organization
In the world of digitalization, biometric security such as face IDs, retina scans and fingerprints are introduced to enhance the security of our devices. Just imagine the revolution it has brought to make our life more convenient, from accessing your smartphone with your fingerprint to logging into your bank account using your face ID. It offers a highly secure and reliable level of personal identification which is generally harder to forge or steal as compared to the traditional methods. However, like other technologies, biometrics are also prone to significant hacking attempts. Biometrics being the most reliable source, these days, becomes the most vulnerable to potential risks. Thus, appropriate measures such as implementing strong encryption protocols, regularly updating biometric systems, and ensuring strict access control can be used to increase the overall security and protect sensitive data. What is Biometric Hacking? Biometric hacking refers to the unauthorized access to a person’s biometric data and misuse. Malicious attackers can intercept this data during transmission or obtain it from a storage location such as a computer database. When the hacker obtains the biometric data, they can use it to impersonate the victim and gain access to their accounts or sensitive information. Each individual has a unique biometric data, which cannot be easily changed, this makes it a valuable target for hackers. How Biometrics is Hacked? There are various ways that can be used by the hackers to hack biometrics. Some of the methods are discussed below: Real-life Case Studies of Hacked Biometrics In 2015, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was the victim of a massive data breach where the personal information of more than 21 million people was compromised. The hackers were able to gain access to fingerprint data of 5.6 million individuals, which is one of the largest known breaches of biometric data. This incident raised serious concerns about the biometric security that can be used for identity theft or other malicious intentions. In 2016, a team of researchers from Michigan State University explained that it is possible to create fake fingerprints, which can fool fingerprint scanners. The researchers created fake fingerprints using gelatin and inkjet printers. These fake fingerprints are used to unlock smartphones and laptops equipped with fingerprint scanners. In 2017, a security researcher discovered a vulnerability in how the fingerprint data is handled in Android devices. The researcher found it impossible to obtain fingerprint data from an Android device and create a 3D-printed replica of a person’s fingerprint. It was also found that the Android fingerprint data was not encrypted and made it easier to steal. These cases show how biometric data can be compromised. As we are storing more and more data in digital form, hence it is more important to consider the security risks associated with these types of data. How Biometric Hacking Impacts Businesses? Biometric hacking can create severe consequences, as they are unique and cannot be changed easily once compromised, unlike other passwords. Once the hacker obtains your biometric data, they can use it to impersonate you, leading to identity theft and other serious issues. Biometric hacking can create the following impacts on businesses: How Can You Mitigate the Risk of Biometric Hacking? There are many ways by which you can mitigate the risk of biometric hacking. Below, we have discussed some biometric security measures that can help: Shall We Rely On Biometric Security? As the world is moving towards a digital landscape, our private data is becoming more vulnerable to theft and hacking. In instance, biometric data is a serious commodity for identity thefts and is used to gain access to sensitive information and accounts. Though biometrics provide a secure way to protect our data, they are not always foolproof. The threat actors have found several ways to bypass biometric security systems. They may continue to find more new ways to exploit, because of advancements in technology. The ultimate thing we could do to protect ourselves is to be aware about the latest security threats and to use biometric security systems in line with PIN or password. Besides, your employees can be your greatest assets or can become your greatest liability too. So, training your employees becomes an essential element in cyber security. Want to start your learning journey on Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking field?