Introduction: Navigating the Future of Mobile Biometric Security
The mobile biometric security and service market is rapidly changing as a result of technological developments, regulatory changes and heightened consumer expectations for security and convenience. The leading players in the market, such as OEMs, system integrators, network operators and new players in the AI and IoT space, are pursuing market leadership by introducing new innovations such as data analysis and automation, and the integration of the Internet of Things. These new innovations not only improve the user experience, but also increase the efficiency of the company’s operations, enabling it to win a greater share of the market. With more and more companies focusing on green building and sustainable development, the demand for eco-friendly biometrics is also increasing. Also, the regional market is growing, especially in Asia-Pacific and North America, where the regulatory framework is changing and consumers are pursuing new services. The key to success in this new market is to be agile and informed.
Competitive Positioning
Full-Suite Integrators
These vendors offer comprehensive solutions that integrate multiple biometric technologies and services.
Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
Daon |
Strong identity verification capabilities |
Identity management solutions |
Global |
Unisys |
Robust security and IT services |
Integrated security solutions |
North America, Europe |
IDEMIA |
Leader in identity solutions |
Biometric identity solutions |
Global |
Gemalto |
Expertise in digital security |
Digital identity and security |
Global |
Specialized Technology Vendors
These vendors focus on specific biometric technologies, providing innovative solutions tailored to niche markets.
Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
Apple |
Market leader in consumer biometrics |
Facial recognition and fingerprint scanning |
Global |
Qualcomm |
Advanced mobile processing capabilities |
Biometric hardware and software |
Global |
Fingerprint Cards |
Leading fingerprint sensor technology |
Fingerprint recognition solutions |
Global |
BioID |
Focus on privacy-preserving biometrics |
Face recognition and liveness detection |
Global |
Aware |
Expertise in biometric software |
Biometric software solutions |
North America, Europe |
Infrastructure & Equipment Providers
These vendors supply the necessary hardware and infrastructure to support biometric systems.
Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
Samsung Electronics |
Innovative consumer electronics integration |
Mobile biometric solutions |
Global |
M2SYS Technology |
Flexible biometric solutions |
Biometric software and hardware |
Global |
NEC Corporation |
Strong government and enterprise focus |
Biometric authentication systems |
Asia, North America |
Iris ID |
Specialization in iris recognition |
Iris recognition technology |
Global |
Verifi |
Focus on secure payment solutions |
Biometric payment authentication |
North America |
Emerging Players & Regional Champions
- IDEMIA (France): Specializes in identity verification solutions, recently secured a contract with a major European bank for mobile biometric authentication, challenging established vendors like Gemalto by offering more flexible integration options.
- BioID (Germany): BioID specializes in facial recognition and liveness detection technology. Recently it implemented a solution for a German government agency, which has enhanced existing security measures without a major change to the existing system.
- ZK-Teco (China): Offers a wide range of biometric equipment and software. It recently won a national ID program in Southeast Asia, establishing itself as a strong regional competitor against the big players with its cost-effective solutions.
- SecuGen (USA): Known for its fingerprint recognition technology, recently partnered with a healthcare provider to enhance patient identification processes, challenging larger firms by focusing on niche markets like healthcare.
- Innovatrics (Slovakia): biometric solutions for mobile devices, recently implemented a biometric voter registration system in a Central European country, complementing the offer of the largest vendors with mobile-first solutions.
Regional Trends: In 2023, there is a significant increase in the use of biometrics on mobile devices in Europe and Asia, due to the need for greater security and identity verification. Several new players emerge, focusing on specialized applications in the areas of health and government services. Larger companies are threatened by the agility and cost-effectiveness of these newcomers. In addition, there is a growing trend towards the integration of biometric solutions in mobile applications, a trend that reflects a shift towards security measures that are more convenient and easy to use.
Collaborations & M&A Movements
- IDEMIA and Mastercard entered into a partnership to enhance mobile payment security through biometric authentication, aiming to capture a larger share of the growing digital payment market.
- Gemalto acquired the biometric technology firm, Biometric Security Solutions, to strengthen its position in the mobile biometric security sector and expand its product offerings.
- Apple and Google collaborated to develop a unified biometric authentication standard for mobile devices, enhancing user security and potentially increasing market adoption across platforms.
Competitive Summary Table
Capability | Leading Players | Remarks |
Biometric Self-Boarding |
Gemalto, SITA |
At some of the world’s major airports, Gemalto has already installed biometric self-boarding systems, which facilitate the flow of passengers and reduce waiting times. SITA’s Smart Path technology has been adopted by several airlines and has demonstrated its effectiveness in streamlining the boarding process. |
AI-Powered Ops Mgmt |
NEC, Thales |
Artificial intelligence is a biometric system that NEC has developed and that is used in the Haneda airport in Tokyo. Thales uses artificial intelligence in security operations to optimize response times and resource allocation. |
Border Control |
IDEMIA, Vision-Box |
IDEMIA's solutions for border control are widely used in Europe. They provide for a quick and accurate identity check at the checkpoint. Vision-Box has worked with governments to develop and implement automatic border control systems, demonstrating their high accuracy and speed. |
Sustainability |
Gemalto, SITA |
Gemalto emphasizes eco-friendly biometric solutions, reducing paper usage in identity verification. SITA's commitment to sustainability is reflected in their initiatives to minimize the carbon footprint of biometric systems in airports. |
Passenger Experience |
AirAsia, Delta Airlines |
AirAsia is integrating biometric technology to improve its passenger experience, enabling smoother check-in and boarding. And Delta Air Lines’ facial recognition systems have reduced waiting times for passengers at various touchpoints. |
Conclusion: Navigating the Mobile Biometric Landscape
The market for mobile biometrics security and services in 2023 is characterized by intense competition and significant fragmentation. The market is divided between established and new players. The demand for advanced security solutions is growing in North America and Asia-Pacific, where legal frameworks are changing to support the use of biometrics. Strategically, vendors must use capabilities such as artificial intelligence to enhance security, automation to optimize operations, and sustainable practices to meet consumer expectations. The market will also demand greater flexibility in service offerings, as organizations seek tailored solutions to address diverse security needs. In this evolving market, leaders must focus on these capabilities to establish themselves as the leaders and innovators in the mobile biometrics market.