Page 29 - Cyber Defense eMagazine February 2024

How so? Businesses can make things better for everyone by confirming a user’s identity through the
integration of biographic information with biometric information

The Benefits and Limitations of Biographic Information

People and businesses use biographic information – name, address, date of birth, and other identifiers –
all the time as a way to ascertain that a person is who they claim to be.

This is a good thing – as far as it goes. Biographic information, after all, is a basic element of identity
verification in so many instances, serving as the initial layer of authentication. A business can match the
information a person provides with existing records to establish a foundational level of trust. Yes, this
person appears to be who they claim to be.

Unfortunately, biographic information isn’t always enough. Cybercriminals are frustratingly adept at
breaking through cybersecurity efforts and stealing people’s personal data. With that data in hand, they
masquerade as the real person, creating problems for businesses and for the identity-theft victims. It’s
disturbing beyond measure, but it’s also, sadly, the reality we face.

Fortunately, there is an excellent way to bolster the biographic information without bogging down users
with all those passwords, PINs, and other security steps. This is by using biographic information backed
up with biometric information. Together, the two make an outstanding team.

The Integration of 2 Types of Identifiers

Cybercriminals face a much greater challenge in trying to steal someone’s identity when biometric
information is involved.

This is because biometric information encompasses unique physical or behavioral traits that distinguish
one person from another.

Common biometric qualities or attributes include fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, and voice
recognition. In some cases, even behavioral biometrics come into place, such as how an individual uses
keystrokes when typing on the computer. Once a person’s keystroke rhythm is determined and recorded,
then that becomes another identifier.

An identity thief might be able to steal records related to birth dates and addresses, but these biometric
markers aren’t so easy to forge. The thief may present a name, age, and address that says they are a
particular person, but facial recognition says otherwise.

This is why biometric markers are ideal for enhancing the security of online transactions. Integrate
biometric information into the process and businesses can reduce the risk of fraudulent activities.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – February 2024 Edition 29
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