Behavioral biometrics authentication is a security method that identifies users by analyzing patterns in how they interact with a device, such as typing speed, swipe patterns, or the angle at which they hold their phone, rather than what they know (a password) or what they physically are (a fingerprint).
Unlike static biometrics (fingerprint, face ID) which verify identity at a single point in time, behavioral biometrics monitors behavior continuously throughout a user session. The system builds a behavioral profile for each user and raises a risk flag or silently triggers step-up authentication when current behavior deviates from that profile.
This approach belongs to the 'something you do' authentication factor category.
The main types are keystroke dynamics, gait analysis, touch and swipe behavior, device handling patterns, and cognitive behavioral analysis. Each captures a distinct dimension of how a person interacts with technology.
For example, in keystroke dynamics, computers are programmed to recognize unique keyboard strokes. A user’s unique combination of keystrokes could be used to authenticate them. However, this method has its limitations, as the unique patterns of keystrokes may not be unique for all users, or the keyboard could get hacked.
If we examine gait analysis, based on the user's movements, sensors are attached to a user’s device and are used to detect their steps and other activities. Based on the trajectory of their movements, it can be determined whether the user is real or a fraud. Similarly, in cognitive biometrics, sensors are used to track a user’s behavior and examine how they use their devices and how they respond during authentication processes. Through this data analysis, patterns can be identified that indicate if a user is legitimate or if there is foul play.
Behavioral biometrics are changing the way users authenticate themselves by adding a seamless security layer. This security layer is extremely valuable in the context of the customer experience due to its passive nature. As mentioned, with behavioral authentication, the user does not actively participate in the authentication process. Instead, the user's behavioral patterns stored in the database are matched in the background. To get more sense of how behavioral biometrics work, we'll go through the most common factors used for determining whether the user is legitimate or a fake.
These are just some of the factors taken into consideration when implementing behavioral authentication. However, it is important to mention that this type of authentication must use a layered approach and consider multiple authentication factors in order to determine the identity of the user.
Behavioral biometrics is most widely deployed in mobile banking, e-commerce, physical access control, and call centres. Banking is the largest adopter due to regulatory pressure (PSD2/SCA) and high fraud risk.
The most common use case for behavioral biometrics is e-commerce authentication. This method allows them to authenticate customers quickly and accurately using digital credentials. The same logic can be applied in other industries as well. For instance, behavioral biometrics can be used by financial services organizations to prevent malicious access attempts with stolen user credentials.
However, before implementing behavioral biometrics, it is crucial to understand the strengths and limitations of the method. For instance, behavioral biometrics cannot always replace traditional authentication methods like multi-factor authentication. Also, vendors must have adequate user data about their behavior for the method to work effectively. If a user interacts with secured systems briefly and only once or twice per year, alternate authentication methods must be used until sufficient data about the user’s behavior can be gathered.
With that in mind, let's mention some of the most common use cases for behavioral biometrics examples present today.
| Industry / Use Case | How Behavioral Biometrics Is Applied |
| Mobile Banking (Login) | Monitors typing cadence, device angle, and swipe pressure during login. Flags anomalies silently without prompting the user. |
| Mobile Banking (Session) | Continuous monitoring throughout the session. If a fraudster bypasses login, unusual navigation patterns trigger step-up authentication. |
| Banking — New Payee Fraud | Cross-references the time of adding a new payee, IP address, geolocation, and device handling against the user's historical profile. |
| E-Commerce Checkout | Authenticates users passively during checkout, reducing cart abandonment caused by friction-heavy MFA prompts. |
| Access Control (Physical) | Gait recognition at building entry points authenticates employees without card swipes or PIN entry. |
| Call Centre / Voice Channel | Voice and speech-pattern analysis verifies callers without security questions, reducing social engineering risks. |
The key benefits behavioral biometric authentication brings are the following:
The passive nature of behavioral biometrics makes the authentication process seamless.
Each industry use case requires a different set of behavioral identificators that can be easily tailored to their specific needs.
Behavioral authentication, apart from granting secure access to a service, also runs in real time. This means that the monitoring of user behavior during a session can also detect unusual patterns and prevent the potential for fraud even if the bad actor gains access.
Simultaneous analysis of multiple behavior factors is near impossible to imitate.
Key security advantages over passwords and static MFA:
Limitations to be aware of:
As we move forward in the age of digitalization, frauds are attempting to use every method at their disposal to steal our data and personal information. However, behavioral biometrics combines authentication with unique user patterns for a more secure experience. It provides a higher degree of security than traditional password authentication, as well as customer experience benefits such as faster login times and reduced password-reset frauds. We believe that behavioral biometrics is here to stay and will only get better as time passes by. If you’re looking for a way to boost customer experience while reducing fraud and identity theft, behavioral biometrics is a solution to consider.
Get in touch to see how ASEE implements Behavioral Biometrics Authentication in real-world environments.
Behavioral biometric authentication is a technology that uses behavioral traits of users to authenticate their identity. It does this by measuring their physiological and/or behavioral traits in real time and then evaluating these patterns against a user's information stored on the device.
Behavioral biometric authentication is different from traditional authentication methods. It authenticates continuously and evaluates a user's interaction with their device in real time. This makes it more secure as it distinguishes between legitimate users and cybercriminals by identifying people based on their online behavior and interactions.
Behavioral biometrics authentication is a technology that authenticates users based on patterns in their behavior. It works by measuring a user's physiological and/or behavioral traits and comparing this with data that's already stored on file. This allows for a true frictionless authentication that is passive and secure. Behavioral biometrics can be used to recognize people by their faces, voice, or fingerprint; as well as by how they interact with a device such as a tablet, smartphone, or computer.
There are many potential benefits to behavioral biometrics authentication, including the following:
Behavioral biometrics authentication uses unique data points to continuously authenticate a user, irrespective of what they’re doing on their computer. This eliminates any opportunity for identity theft or fraud since there is no way to steal or replicate biometric information.
Behavioral biometrics authentication does not reveal user identity like traditional authentication methods do. This preserves user privacy and allows them to keep their personal information private.
Behavioral biometrics authentication evaluates a user’s ongoing interaction with their device in real time, making it harder for hackers to get around security measures.
Unlike standard security measures, which are susceptible to theft or replication, behavioral biometrics authentication is almost impossible to hack or replicate. This makes it more secure than traditional security measures.
Behavioral biometrics authentication is easier and more convenient for users than traditional security measures such as multi-factor authentication processes.
