6 Biometric Factors That Are Working Today
From fingerprints to wearable ECG monitors, there are real options in the market that may relegate the despised password to the dustbin of history.
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Anyone who has visited a friend or loved one in a hospital is familiar with electrocardiogram (ECG) readings. While there is nothing groundbreaking about ECGs, what is putting them on the biometric map are tiny sensing devices than can connect your unique heart activity and electrical signals to wearable systems such as a Nymi wristband, which can recognize an individual based on his distinct cardiac rhythm.
How does Nymi work? According to a company whitepaper, the same electrical signal that doctors read can be picked up by simple connection to the wrists and hands. The basic requirement is two points of contact that cross the heart to complete a circuit. The device does not collect medically valid ECG information, but it is sufficient for biometric authentication as well as heart rate monitoring, according to Nymi.
Google "I hate passwords" and you'll get 3.25 million results. If that isn’t unshakeable evidence that the world is desperate for a better solution, then I will tear up all those sticky notes pasted on my laptop.
What’s the alternative? I’m putting my money on biometrics.
Yes, biometrics have been touted for a long time. But in recent years, the technology has overcome some major hurdles -- among them cost, ease of use, and access -- paving the way for some very interesting possibilities in authentication solutions that will (hopefully) relegate the despised password to the dustbin of history.
Like any security technology, there is no perfect solution. But one thing is for sure, biometrics are no longer a futuristic fantasy. There are real solutions that are working today with even more on the horizon. Let’s take a look.
Google "I hate passwords" and you'll get 3.25 million results. If that isn’t unshakeable evidence that the world is desperate for a better solution, then I will tear up all those sticky notes pasted on my laptop.
What’s the alternative? I’m putting my money on biometrics.
Yes, biometrics have been touted for a long time. But in recent years, the technology has overcome some major hurdles -- among them cost, ease of use, and access -- paving the way for some very interesting possibilities in authentication solutions that will (hopefully) relegate the despised password to the dustbin of history.
Like any security technology, there is no perfect solution. But one thing is for sure, biometrics are no longer a futuristic fantasy. There are real solutions that are working today with even more on the horizon. Let’s take a look.
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