What is an advantage of biometric systems over traditional password systems?

Biometric systems offer significant benefits due to their inherent characteristics of non-transferability and uniqueness. Unlike traditional password systems, which often rely on user-created passwords that can be easily forgotten, shared, or stolen, biometric identifiers—such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans—are based on individual physical traits. This uniqueness means that each biometric identifier is inherently tied to a specific individual, making it extremely difficult for someone to replicate or misuse.

Furthermore, since biometric traits are a part of who we are, they cannot be forgotten in the same way that passwords can be, which reduces the likelihood of forgotten credentials. Traditional passwords can be weak, predictable, or reused across multiple platforms, increasing vulnerability. In contrast, biometric systems enhance security through their reliance on features that are specific and constant to the individual, providing a higher level of assurance that the person accessing a system is indeed the legitimate user.

This characteristic makes biometric systems particularly appealing in security-sensitive environments, as they effectively mitigate risks that are prevalent with password-based systems.