The role of fingerprint biometrics in an age of AI and deepfakes

By Anette Trulsson Corda, SVP Market Development at IDEX Biometrics

As generative AI and its capabilities continue to disrupt the business landscape, a new wave of alarming fraud is accelerating. Deepfakes – defined as AI-generated audio, video and images – have become a powerful weapon for today’s cybercriminals. These hyper-realistic yet fake impersonations are being leveraged to convincingly impersonate voices, faces and even mannerisms, representing a significant threat to businesses.

While many business leaders are embracing AI for its transformative potential, far fewer are prepared for the dark side of this innovation and its rising impact on financial fraud. A recent survey found that just over half of US and UK businesses have already been targeted by scams involving deepfake technology, with 43% falling victim[1].

Real-world examples underscore just how serious this risk has become. In one high-profile case from 2024, the CEO of the world’s largest advertising group was targeted using a fake WhatsApp account, a voice clone and edited YouTube footage[2]. Although the attack was unsuccessful, it highlighted the devastating potential of such scams. Meanwhile, other companies have reported fraudsters using the technology to pose as suppliers or vendors, leveraging AI-generated content to trick employees into transferring funds or sharing sensitive information.

With Deloitte predicting that AI-enabled fraud could cost the US $40 billion annually by 2027[3] – and with cyberattacks already occurring every 39 seconds[4] – organizations urgently need to rethink their security strategies to keep pace in a world where fraud is more sophisticated than ever before. But how can leaders protect their businesses when they can’t even trust the voice of a colleague or what they see before them?

Beyond sight and sound: The case for stronger authentication

Deepfakes exploit a fundamental vulnerability in human and system trust: our reliance on what we see and hear. Whether it’s a familiar voice on a call, a video conference, or a seemingly legitimate invoice email, today, AI can convincingly replicate these cues. That’s why modern business security must move beyond surface-level authentication and embrace methods that AI cannot duplicate.

Unlike voice or facial recognition, which can be spoofed with enough data and computing power, fingerprint biometrics are immutable, physical characteristics that remain consistent and uniquely tied to the individual.

AI may be able to replicate a voice or generate a fake image, but fingerprint biometrics based on capacitive sensor technology provide tamper-proof security and liveness detection. This method also requires the physical presence of the person being authenticated, adding a crucial barrier against cyber criminals who rely on remote, digital deception.

Fingerprint biometrics: A powerful line of defense

Today, the availability of fingerprint biometric ID cards, integrating secure fingerprint sensors with on-chip encryption and biometric processing, offers a robust and scalable enterprise security solution. Biometric access cards enable smart card-based authentication without relying on external batteries, power sources, or controllers, and support a range of business applications.

While fingerprint biometric ID cards are more commonly associated with secure physical access, these cards are increasingly being adopted to provide secure access to sensitive systems such as financial platforms, information or databases, ensuring only the verified individuals can gain access, and providing reliable audit trails.

When it comes to authorizing high-value transactions, fingerprint verification can also offer a secure alternative to verbal or email approvals. This is especially crucial in protecting remote work infrastructures, frequent in today’s hybrid workforce. Fingerprint authentication verifies that the person accessing sensitive systems not only has the right credentials, but is present and authorized. Unlike deep fakes, fingerprint biometrics requires an actual touchpoint – breaking the chain of impersonation at its source.

Building a safe and resilient future

As generative AI continues to evolve, so too will its use in cybercrime. To remain resilient, organizations across all industries must stay ahead of the curve by ensuring robust authentication methods are put in place that are not only secure but also reliable and user-friendly.

Fingerprint biometrics, particularly when embedded in smart cards, provide this strong protection.

In a world where seeing and hearing are no longer believing, touch may be the most trustworthy sense we have left. As organizations navigate the dual promise and risks associated with AI, adopting fingerprint biometrics is an indispensable step in providing a trusted identity for all and ensuring resilience against cyberattacks.

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