Following the news that RBS will be embracing Touch ID on mobile banking apps, Telefónica is the latest company to announce the adoption of biometric authentication and digital signature technology.
Leveraging its recent acquisition of technology from Spanish security company SmartAccess, Telefónica and its cybersecurity subsidiary, ElevenPaths, has incorporated what is known as "strong authentication", based on biometry, into its identity solutions.
This system leverages different variables to verify identity, as well as robust digital signature technology, which prevents possible identity theft and opens up more ways to safely digitise business processes such as legal and commercial documents.
As Chema Alonso, CEO of ElevenPaths, explains "currently, many of the security breaches we see involve an attack on people’s identities, so dealing with this is one of the most complex, but important, issues faced today.
"The reduction of fraud and problems related to identity theft must be a priority for individuals and companies in order to retain confidence in digital services and applications.
"Through these two new ElevenPaths solutions we are in a strong position to help provide this much needed protection as well as opening up new ways of working and accessing digital services."
One of the new solutions is SmartID which allows allows for more secure user authentication when accessing applications and physical equipment, by combining different elements such as smart cards, RFID/NFC devices and biometric fingerprint recognition.
Also introduced is SealSign, an electronic document-signing platform for companies, compatible with digital certificates, biometric systems, One-time Password (OTP) systems and the long-term storage of signed documents.
This service offers a solution based on behavioural biometry, such as a user’s voice or signature.
