Biometrics and the Looming Quantum Threat
But we are sure that by the time it gets here, it’ll be too late to start protecting your data, your transactions, and your business.
An effective quantum-resistant response will entail automated verification and portable identity solutions for every vertical from the public sector to gaming. Fast integration is imperative because the threat is here, even if quantum computing is not.
So what does that mean? The fact is, starting to protect your current details is an imperative now because highly encrypted information can be stolen now. Sure, it may not be readable now, but it will be down the line.
Be sure to choose a platform that can expand with your requirements and your business, one that provides biometric verification of age, digital verification of documents, and portable identity options.
The future will undoubtedly see the development of even more sophisticated biometric systems, such as those using behavioral patterns derived from daily activities or biometrics combined with AI to detect anomalies in user behavior. As quantum computing becomes more prevalent, we may see the development of quantum-resistant biometric authentication methods that can provide even greater security.
The Bottomline
Biometric authentication, by its very nature, stands apart as a uniquely promising solution to the security challenges posed by the advent of quantum computing.
Its ability to provide unique, user-friendly, and robust authentication makes it an ideal candidate for securing data in the quantum era, and platforms that offer automated authorization with zero integration will help make adoption friction-free.
As we move toward quantum, the layered integration of biometrics coupled with quantum-resistant cryptography and continuous innovation will be key to ensuring our digital security in the face of the quantum computing revolution.
This very real hacking strategy goes by various names, all of which are a variation on steal now, decrypt later. That is, hackers don’t have to crack the safe today. They can steal the whole thing, and crack it later, when quantum computing is available to make short work of what are currently considered robust encryption schemes.
Understanding the Threat of Quantum Computing
Quantum computing represents a significant leap forward in computational power for solving specific kinds of problems. Traditional computers use bits that are either 0 or 1, but quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that can be both 0 and 1 simultaneously – so-called ”superposition”. The strange math underlying the probabilities that a qubit is either 1 or 0 makes it possible to solve particular types of complex problems much faster than classical computers.
One area where quantum computing poses a threat is cryptography. Many of today’s encryption methods rely on the difficulty of finding prime factors of large numbers, a task that quantum computers could perform exponentially faster than classical computers. This capability could render current encryption methods obsolete, exposing a wide range of encrypted data to potential security breaches.
Biometric Authentication: A Solution
Of course, biometric authentication doesn’t rely on algorithms that can be derived by any computer, no matter how powerful.
Biometrics use physical or behavioral characteristics – such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, voice recognition, and even heart rate patterns – to verify identity. These characteristics are unique to each individual and extremely difficult to replicate, particularly when paired with human verification for digital Identity, making biometric systems robust against the kind of decryption capabilities expected from quantum computing.
Advantages Over Traditional Security Methods
- Uniqueness: Biometric data is inherently unique to each individual. Unlike passwords or keys, which can be shared or stolen, biometric data is much harder to duplicate or forge provided digital Identity systems support human verification.
- Non-repudiation: Biometric systems provide strong evidence of the identity of the user interacting with the system, reducing the risk of denial of identity or transactions.
- User Convenience: Biometrics can be more user-friendly than remembering complex passwords and more available since even portable identity doesn’t rely on remembering to carry security tokens.
- Dynamic Data: Some biometric systems use data that changes over time (e.g., behavioral biometrics), which can provide ongoing authentication rather than a single checkpoint.
Trade Offs
It’s a given that with any personal data, there’s always a responsibility to respect privacy. It’s no surprise that ensuring that biometric data is stored securely and used ethically is a requirement.
And not all biometric platforms are created equal. Vet potential vendors thoroughly, and choose one that minimizes both false positives (unauthorized access granted) and false negatives (legitimate access denied) exists.
Integrating Biometrics with Quantum-Resistant Cryptography
To maximize security in the quantum computing era, biometric systems should be integrated with quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. These are encryption methods designed to be secure against the capabilities of quantum computers. By combining biometric authentication with quantum-resistant cryptography, we can create a dual-layer security system that leverages the uniqueness of biometric data and the robustness of quantum-safe encryption.
Future of Biometric Authentication in the Quantum Age
As quantum computing technology evolves, the field of biometric authentication will also need to adapt. Research into new biometric modalities, enhanced security measures for biometric data, and integration with emerging technologies will be critical.
Any business that uses conventional encryption now is a candidate for adopting biometric identification, whether it’s for the public sector, gaming, events, and even telecom.