Don't tell this to any folks prone to bouts of tinfoil hat-wearing paranoia, but vFace brought facial recognition to everyone. Regardless of someone's views on facial biometrics, no one can deny that it's a secure form of authentication.
Cybersecurity firm Veridium has launched their new facial security app called vFace. This new software technology allows anyone with a smartphone that has a front-facing camera to use facial recognition.
The billionaire Michael Spencer backed the company by investing $14.2M in 2018. The aim of this new venture, according to James Stickland, chief executive of Veridium, is to eliminate the need for passwords. Let's take a look at how this new software fits into the bigger picture of cybersecurity.
vFace - the Future of Facial Recognition?
Veridium makes facial recognition software accessible to everyone. It cuts the need for expensive security tech. vFace is a secure way to add high-end security to mobile apps and devices of any kind. So long as the device has a front-facing camera of two megapixels or more.
The company released the new vFace feature for the existing VeridiumID authenticator application. It works both on iOS and Android. vFace is also available through an SDK for any businesses which want to integrate the software into their apps.
Veridium has also developed and patented behavioral biometric technology. It uses the sensors of smartphones to authenticate the current user of the device. Everyone can use their behavioral biometrics together with vFace on other applications. It's also available alongside the native biometric authentication on a device.
Many cybersecurity experts consider biometrics the future of authentication. But is vFace that future?
No doubt, it's an excellent addition to anyone's security set up right now if their device doesn't support facial recognition by default. After all, most devices still don't. But this type of software might become somewhat obsolete down the line as facial biometrics become more standard. The hardware gets cheaper and more accessible. Then there would be no need for third-party software.
Though in this case, vFace's saving grace may be its seamless integration with Veridium's behavioral biometric technology. It would allow for a much more comprehensive authentication system than passwords or vFace on its own.
"Our behavioral biometrics capabilities signal a new era in cybersecurity. A malicious actor stealing someone's device and attempts to impersonate their biometrics, will have a difficult time trying to replicate the genuine user's unique mannerisms," said John Spencer, Chief Product Officer of Veridium.
Passwords' Days Are Numbered But Not Done
Passwords are still the main form of authentication for almost all devices. They also unlock software and online accounts. Sure, biometrics are creeping up with the eventual goal of taking over, but that's still a ways off.
So, for now, most people still need to focus on ways that they can protect their passwords. It means good password hygiene, and password managers remain necessary.
Passwords on their own aren't secure. That's why the rise of biometric authentication is such an important new frontier in cybersecurity. But current solutions, like password managers, still provide extra security. They make sure people don't reuse passwords or store their passwords in plain text.
Sure, password managers can't protect you if an online platform suffers a data breach. But password manager with XChaCha20 encryption ensures hackers can't decrypt passwords if they get access to your devices. So even though biometric authentication is the future, you can still secure passwords with the right precautions.
Behavioral Biometrics All The Way
The power of behavioral biometrics lies in the fact that it's hard for anyone to replicate it. It makes it almost impossible for corrupt actors to enter the necessary authentication data and gain access to their target.
It's especially evident when it comes to behavioral biometrics that takes into account unique user behaviors. There are still ways to get around facial recognition and fingerprint authentication. But behaviors are much more complicated and much less noticeable.
Moreover, both behavioral and facial biometrics fit seamlessly into the authentication process. People still need to take a moment to scan their faces, but behavioral biometrics can go almost unnoticed. It is a crucial factor in getting more people to adopt secure authentication practices.
Passwords are easy to put in place, explaining their popularity. But people like going for the easiest route (which is also why passwords are often not secure). Cybersecurity companies like Veridium are taking the right approach. The solutions like vFace both make biometrics easier and more accessible.
