Synaptics Brings Out New Fingerprint Authentication Technology

Biometric security is a hot-button topic these days, as the combination of password and username look to provide more hassle than protection, and stronger, easier to use methods of protection come into vogue.

The new move from Synaptics is known as Match-in-Sensor technology, which is the first combination fingerprint sensor and authentication system known to exist. Essentially, it removes fingerprint authentication from the grid, meaning that there’s no need to communicate back to the operating system of the device to confirm the user’s authenticity.

Instead, the authentication can be done right from the same point where the fingerprint was taken. It’s built around a system-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture that allows for both input and output at the same time. Since the whole thing is done within that system, it keeps the whole operation safer as there’s less need to communicate with the outside. This would open up opportunities for malware to be injected into the system or for hardware attacks to take place.

But with an SoC system running, the whole affair is more contained, thus safer overall. The Match-in-Sensor tech allows for the fingerprint reader to score a template version of the user’s fingerprint-the user gains access when the score of the match between the template and the swipe is high enough. The device never actually stores the print.

Plus, it’s actually double-sided security; there’s less of a chance of breaking into the sending system, but also less a chance of a waiting virus at the receiving system being used against the sending system.

People already know it takes a lot to spoof a fingerprint reader, and with that in place, it should be very reassuring for the average user. The more that can be done to make the user feel safe, the more likely it is that those users will turn to mobile payment systems. We’ve seen this already with various studies in several countries—recent studies from Luxembourg to the United States have already shown that there are safety concerns among consumers here—and the better job that can be done making mobile payments secure, the better the end result is likely to be.