New biometric authentication could be a password killer

Pramati Technologies has announced the ThumbSignIn biometric authentication SaaS platform for mobile and web applications and additionally its certification by the FIDO Alliance. The platform enables enterprises and service providers to deploy strong authentication solutions that reduce reliance on passwords and protect against phishing, man-in-the-middle, and replay attacks using stolen passwords. Pramati’s ThumbSignIn benefits organizations by enabling users to sign in to websites, web applications from desktop web browsers, and mobile apps biometrically, without a password.

Biometric authentication is much simpler to use than password-based authentication, and is an order of magnitude more secure. By design, ThumbSignIn uses public key cryptography to securely transfer authentication information over the internet. Also, unlike password-based systems, the authentication takes place entirely on users’ mobile devices, and the biometric information is never transmitted to, nor stored on, the server. This approach puts users in control of their credentials and greatly reduces the liability of enterprises because hackers have little incentive to hack into servers to steal username/password information.

ThumbSignIn is available as a cloud-based service that enables developers to integrate its capabilities into their websites. The server was built in GoLang, a systems development language created by Google that enables software developers to harness the full power of modern multi-core machines and construct high-performance system software.

Pramati has also created SDKs for the IoS and Android platforms, allowing developers to integrate strong biometrics-based authentication capabilities into their mobile applications or take advantage of the free ThumbSignIn app available at the Android and Apple app stores.

“FIDO certification is rapidly becoming a linchpin to adoption of mobile products and devices,” said Vijay Pullur, co-founder and president of Pramati. “The number of FIDO Certified products grew by 200 percent in 2016 alone, and that growth rate is expected to accelerate as alliance members pursue certification for laptops, payment cards, and other devices. For customers, that’s good news as they are assured of an unprecedented level of mobile security and interoperability. We believe that FIDO certification will be an overwhelming incentive for customers in their product adoption.”