A study by Unisys surveyed the UK public on their attitudes towards biometric authentication, including the use of fingerprint scanning, heartbeat recognition and vascular scanning.

The study found an overall acceptance of biometrics, and over half (55 per cent) supported biometrics as an alternative to not remembering passwords. However, the report highlighted public concern with sharing biometric data, as the majority (80 per cent) stated that security is more important than speed when logging into online accounts; although two-thirds (65 per cent) also believe biometrics to be more secure than traditional PIN and passwords. This is slightly above the European average from the same survey, of 63 per cent.

Salvatore Sinno, global chief security architect, Unisys, commented: “Mobile device usage has bought biometrics to the mainstream as more people access their phones via a fingerprint reader. With the arrival of the iPhone X, facial recognition will most likely become just as commonplace. In today’s environment it makes sense for organisations to have a multi-layered approach to security, to address new legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), and reassure the public and build trust between consumers and service providers.”

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