Behavioral biometrics in the authentication process

Behavioral biometrics is a technology that focuses on how people do things, like how they type, swipe on a phone, or even how they walk. Instead of just facial recognition or fingerprint authentication, it pays attention to unique habits and actions. This method is useful for healthcare organizations to boost security.

What is behavioral biometrics?

The idea behind behavioral biometrics came from studying human behavior and finding ways to use those unique characteristics as a form of identification. What sets behavioral biometrics apart from other types like fingerprint or facial recognition is its dynamism and the difficulty in copying or stealing someone’s behavioral traits. 

This idea is followed in a paper coming out of the Proceedings of the 2017 ACM on Asia conference on computer and communication security, “Naturally, approaches that heavily rely on user interaction and cooperation, such as passwords or fingerprints would severely harm user experience. As a result, behavioral biometrics, the use of distinctive user behavior to gain identifying information, has become a popular method to support continuous authentication. Examples include typing behavior (keystroke dynamics),  mouse movements, touchscreen inputs, and eye movements.” This makes it a stronger, more secure option for preventing fraud and protecting privacy, especially in fields like healthcare where privacy is needed.

See also: Is biometric data PHI?

How behavioral biometrics improves the authentication process  in healthcare organizations 

Under the HIPAA Security Rule, specifically within the "Technical Safeguards," there's a requirement for "Access Control," which includes "Person or Entity Authentication." This rule demands that healthcare entities ensure whoever accesses electronic protected health information (ePHI) is indeed who they claim to be.

Behavioral biometrics assists in tightening security in healthcare by closely monitoring the unique ways staff interact with systems. This ensures that the person accessing sensitive health records is the authorized user, not an impostor. This technology falls under the HIPAA Security Rule, which mandates protections to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.

In terms of HIPAA compliance, behavioral biometrics adds an extra layer of security by continuously verifying the identity of users in real time. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if someone has the correct password. By strengthening the authentication process, healthcare providers can better ensure that they are meeting HIPAA’s requirements to safeguard patient information. 

See also: HIPAA compliant biometric data storage

How to make use of behavioral biometrics

1. Selecting the right solution: Begin by researching and selecting a behavioral biometrics system that aligns with your organization's specific security needs and compliance requirements. 
2. Integration with existing systems: Once a suitable solution is chosen, the next step is to integrate it with your existing security infrastructure. This includes linking the behavioral biometrics system with your identity and access management (IAM) framework. 
3. User enrollment: For behavioral biometrics to function, it initially requires enrolling users into the system. This process involves users performing specific tasks, such as typing, using a mouse, or interacting with a touchscreen, to establish their unique behavioral patterns. 
4. Continuous monitoring and verification: Behavioral biometrics systems operate by continuously monitoring the user’s interactions with devices and comparing them against their stored behavioral profile. 
5. Analysis and decision making: When a discrepancy in behavior is detected, the system can be configured to take automatic actions, such as prompting for additional authentication, alerting security personnel, or blocking access. 

See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide

FAQs

What are biometrics?

Biometrics are unique physical or behavioral characteristics used to identify individuals, such as fingerprints, facial patterns, or voice recognition.

How does the authentication process work?

The authentication process verifies a user's identity by comparing submitted credentials with stored data to grant or deny access to a system.

What is behavioral analytics?

Behavioral analytics involves studying patterns in human behavior to detect anomalies, make predictions, or enhance security through real time monitoring.