by Calvin Smith
While digital transaction management (DTM) is about the shift from paper to digital documents and business processes associated with transactions, it is much more than the shift to digital processes. DTM goes beyond content and document management to include eSignatures, authentication and nonrepudiation, document transfer and certification, secure archiving that goes beyond records management, and a variety of meta-processes around managing electronic transactions and the documents associated with them.
Biometric signatures are a method of identity authentication that allow for faster and more secure digital transactions than traditional eSignatures. Due to quick and accurate verification methods, biometric signatures are quickly becoming a preferred method of digital transaction management.
In this blog, I will define biometric signatures, cover the types of biometrics signatures, and discuss why your business should consider deploying biometric signatures for the purchasing of products, apps, and other services.
What Are Biometric Signatures?
Electronic signatures have become the predominant form of digital signature. Most notably, when it comes to sales contracts, the adoption of eSignatures has resulted in a drastic decrease in time to contracts signed. However, the need for other forms of digital signature are taking precedence.
According to Aragon, biometric signatures involve verification or encryption via fingerprint, retina, iris, or voice, and are emerging as a way to ensure digital security. Biometric signatures are ideal for those critical transactions where your identity must be certified and verified.
However, biometric signatures are most effective when they are used in conjunction with each other. Deploying a multi-step biometric authentication process allows for further identity protection.
As I will explain in the next section, our daily devices are requiring biometric signatures to access them and to ensure identity protection.
What Are the Types of Biometric Signatures?
When I apply biometrics to my everyday life, my first thought is either about my iPhone, Macbook, or my iPad. Apple has provided the opportunity for my digital life to be stored on any or all of my apple devices. Whether it’s my banking information or work documents, or binge watching Netflix on a Sunday, I am constantly accessing my devices through biometrics.
Some of the most notable biometrics on record are fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, voice recognition, and signature recognition (for a more in-depth list of biometrics, visit here).
Is your business deploying biometric signatures to improve user experience?
Biometric Signatures, Digital Transaction Management, and User Experience
When it comes to biometric signatures and user experience, I’d like to share a personal example of how the how the two are working together.
Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a devout Starbucks consumer. In the mornings, and then again in the afternoons, a caffeine boost always serves me well (ok, maybe not my wallet, but you get the point). Through deploying biometric signatures on my Starbucks mobile app, I know that my purchases are going to be safe and secure, while also improving my time to coffee.
Through biometrics, I first have to use facial recognition to access the contents of my phone. Once logged in, my Starbucks mobile app scans my finger to unlock the app, then scans my finger again when I want to reload my digital Starbucks card that is attached to my personal bank account. Once I am ready to purchase my coffee and have it waiting for me at my local Starbucks, I then go through another verification measure to ensure that I indeed want to make the purchase. This is a three-step biometric signature approach that is improving my customer journey through a quick and easy, yet safe and secure, buying process.
This is just one of many examples of how biometric signatures are improving user experience. By using my mobile Starbucks app and enabling a biometric secure login, I am bypassing the long lines and making a secure, authenticated purchase.
Bottom Line
Biometric signatures are making waves in digital transaction management due to their secure measures. Biometric signatures are not a ‘what do you know’ test, but rather an identity test that uses verified authentication measures. Deploying biometric signatures in your digital transactions can help keep your transactions safe and secure, and speed up time to business processes—again, improving the user experience. Furthermore, biometric signatures allow your customers to purchase what they want quicker and faster than ever before, and in a secure manner.
Aragon provides extensive coverage in biometric signatures, most recently in facial recognition and voice identification. If you’d like to learn more about how you can get started with your digital transaction management approach, schedule a consultation with Aragon today.