NEWTON, Mass. Biometrics, the capture of a digital image of a body part, voice, or pattern of behavior, is increasingly being explored by financial institutions as they seek ways to improve security, according to Meridien Research.
With the increase in e-commerce and m-commerce, we can expect to see biometrics become more widespread and potentially integrated into hardware devices, said Meridien analyst Jennifer Schmidt. As biometric applications become standard on products, it will become easier for end-users to adopt and accept the technology.
Proponents of biometrics point to the easy information access it makes possible and to the improved security it offers. Applications are simpler because users no longer have to remember and enter passwords, and security is improved as biometrics is used to encrypt data.
The report said Barclaycard in England has used finger scans to control access to its head office for almost five years.
