Biometric And Global Identity
The convenience and availability of cloud services has seen a dramatic increase in business functionality being shifted from local servers to the cloud. Even our biometrics may be stored in the cloud. Assume your employer has signed up with a global authentication provider that stores user fingerprints in the users’ global identity accounts. Users can then use their biometric fingerprint from the cloud service to access websites rather than storing the fingerprint locally on their mobile device or computer. In theory, if an attacker gains access to your fingerprints (whether stored locally or in the cloud), they could compromise any of your online accounts that accept your fingerprints. Answer the following question(s):
Is the storage of biometric data safer locally or in the cloud? Why?
If an attacker has your fingerprints, could multifactor authentication (MFA) still prevent the attacker from gaining access to your accounts? Why or why not?
Sample Answer
The storage of biometric data is a complex issue with no easy answers. There are pros and cons to storing biometric data locally and in the cloud.
Storing biometric data locally
- Pros:
- More control over the data
- Less risk of data breaches
- Less reliance on third-party providers
- Cons:
- Can be more difficult to manage
- Can be more vulnerable to physical theft
Storing biometric data in the cloud
- Pros:
- More convenient
- Easier to manage
- More scalable
- Cons:
- More risk of data breaches
- Reliance on third-party providers