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In recent months, the UK government has made clear its intent to move away from traditional password-based systems towards more secure, convenient alternatives, most notably, biometric authentication and digital passkeys. With platforms like GOV.UK and the NHS App beginning to adopt passkey support, the shift represents a significant evolution in how citizens and businesses alike access services and secure sensitive information.
This transition reflects a broader trend across the cyber security landscape. Passwords, once the cornerstone of digital security, are increasingly being viewed as outdated, high-risk, and inconvenient. The weaknesses of passwords, especially when users rely on simple, reused, or predictable credentials, have led to countless breaches and security incidents across the globe. In contrast, biometric systems promise enhanced protection by tying authentication to something a person is rather than something they know. But as with any major technological shift, the change comes with implications, opportunities, and risks that deserve closer examination.
From Passwords to Biometrics: What’s Driving the Change?
Passwords have long been recognised as one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. Users often choose weak passwords, reuse them across accounts, or fall victim to phishing and social engineering attacks that result in these passwords falling into the wrong hands. Even with password managers and multi-factor authentication, the burden on users remains high. Every website and service requires a password, and if you take security seriously, this means creating and storing a complex, lengthy password for each of these.
Biometric authentication, using fingerprints, facial recognition, or even voice and behavioural patterns, aims to eliminate this source of frustration. It provides a seamless, more secure experience, particularly when combined with digital passkeys. Passkeys are not stored centrally and cannot be phished in the same way as passwords. They authenticate users through encrypted tokens, typically stored on a personal device, and are confirmed via biometrics. For individuals, this means faster, easier logins. For organisations, it means a large reduction in their attack surface and minimising risk.
Impacts on Individuals, Businesses, and Cybersecurity at Large
For individuals, the shift to biometrics is likely to improve usability and reduce everyday frustrations with login credentials. It also decreases reliance on insecure practices like writing down passwords or storing them in unencrypted files. As more services like banking apps and government portal accept biometric authentication, users can expect a more consistent and reliable access experience.
From a business perspective, the implications are more complex. On one hand, adopting biometric authentication can dramatically reduce credential-based attacks, which remain one of the most common initial entry points for breaches. It also improves regulatory compliance by demonstrating that strong, modern security practices are in place. On the other hand however, implementing biometrics requires investment in new infrastructure, training, and adapting multiple policies. Organisations must also be prepared to handle edge cases, such as users who cannot or prefer not to use biometric identifiers, or scenarios where devices are lost or stolen.
At a higher level, the adoption of biometric systems raises new questions about surveillance, data handling, and the consequences of failure. If a fingerprint database is breached, unlike a password, a biometric marker cannot simply be changed. How will this be managed?
Are Standards and Regulations Keeping Up?
As biometric technologies become more mainstream, the regulatory landscape is similarly evolving to address the unique risks they introduce. In the UK, biometric data is classified under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as “special category data,” which means its collection and processing are subject to incredibly strict legal safeguards. Businesses must have a clear lawful basis for using biometrics, usually explicit consent from the individual, and must implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to both secure and protect that data.
In addition to data protection laws, standards such as ISO/IEC 30107 (which governs biometric presentation attack detection) and ISO/IEC 27001 (for general information security) are being adopted more widely by businesses worldwide. These frameworks help ensure that biometric systems are designed securely and are resilient against spoofing or manipulation. While the pace of innovation in biometrics often outstrips regulatory updates, the direction is clear. Any use of biometric data must be justified, transparent, and secure by design.
Government bodies such as the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have also published guidance on the ethical use of biometrics, particularly in the public sector. This includes recommendations on data minimisation, retention policies, and ensuring that biometric systems are not too intrusive. As adoption of these methods grows, regulators are expected to take a more active role in auditing and enforcing best practices.
Are Biometrics Really More Secure?
Biometrics offer clear advantages over passwords, but they are not perfect. While much harder to guess or steal remotely, biometric systems can be bypassed through sophisticated attack methods such as fake fingerprints, and deepfake audio/video.
Another concern is centralised storage. If an organisation stores raw biometric data on its servers, which is then compromised, it presents a long-term risk. Unlike a password, a fingerprint or facial scan cannot be changed. Best practice dictates that biometric data should be stored locally on user devices, encrypted, and never transmitted unless absolutely necessary.
In addition, biometric systems must be designed to account for failure and accessibility. Technical limitations (such as poor camera quality, lighting conditions, or injuries affecting a fingerprint) can cause authentication failures. Inclusivity is also a concern, as not all users are comfortable using facial recognition or may have disabilities that interfere with certain access methods.
Despite these challenges, when used in conjunction with other factors, biometrics offer a significant upgrade over traditional authentication. Their success depends not just on the underlying technology, but on how carefully they are integrated into systems, policies, and user education efforts.
The Role of Compliance Automation in Supporting the Transition
As organisations shift to new authentication methods, they must ensure their systems remain compliant with evolving standards. This is where platforms like OneClickComply come in.
OneClickComply helps businesses automate and manage their journey toward cybersecurity compliance, whether they're adopting Cyber Essentials for the first time, or working towards ISO 27001. As passwordless authentication becomes more common, organisations must ensure that any policies, settings, and controls are correctly implemented and regularly monitored, all of which can be automatically completed through OneClickComply’s ‘Fix this for me approach.’
Final Thoughts
The UK’s move towards passwordless authentication, led by the public sector and mirrored by other businesses, signals a major shift in the way we think about security. Biometrics promise stronger protection, better user experiences, and greater resistance to the attacks that plague traditional systems. But they also introduce new responsibilities around data protection, accessibility, and inclusive/ethical design.
For businesses navigating this change, the path forward requires not only investment in new technology, but a commitment to thoughtful implementation and ongoing compliance. With tools like OneClickComply, organisations can ensure their security and compliance posture evolves alongside their authentication methods, reducing risk, increasing trust, and staying ahead of the curve.
