Unisys Finds Americans React More Positively to Biometrics Than Expected

Unisys research has disproved an easy to make assumption that U.S. citizens would not react well to providing biometric information to either government or private organizations for identification.

In fact, Unisys found nearly 60 percent of U.S. respondents in a security index survey to be willing to provide biometric data for airport or banking security, according to an AOL Government report by Mark Cohn, Unisys chief technology officer.

The company conducts a global survey of consumer attitudes toward security, the Unisys Security Index, taking stock of some 12,000 consumers in 11 countries and 1,000 respondents closer to home. The company found a majority of U.S. respondents willing to supply biometric data in the case of bettered mobile device security, airport security, obtaining government benefits and access electronic systems.

Specifically what seems to concern consumers, according to Unisys, is protection of their own data and devices. The company found 90 percent said in the event of a breach to their own data, they would want to take action such as changing passwords, or more drastic measures including closing their accounts on the affected site or taking legal action against who is responsible.

Cohn, saw this as an illustration,”that consumers’ view that biometrics are a proven way to protect their personal data and to help ensure that unauthorized people cannot access it. In other words, by providing biometric data to a government or private organization, they can bolster their privacy,” said the report. 

Cohn suggests that federal agencies should consider implementing biometrics into earlier stages of design so to, “take advantage of commercially proven models that have been deployed throughout the world on a large scale and end up with systems that have coherent, end-to-end security while also providing the convenience and the stronger authentication that the consumer will demand.” He sees this as a cost-saving method to deliver services to the public.

To view the data break down and hear more from Cohn, see the video here. 

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