To securely store biometric templates in digital identity authentication, follow these best practices:
Template Encryption: Always encrypt biometric templates (e.g., fingerprints, facial scans) before storage using strong encryption algorithms like AES-256. This ensures that even if the storage is compromised, the raw biometric data remains unreadable.
Hashing & Tokenization: Instead of storing raw biometric data, convert templates into irreversible hashes or tokens. This prevents reconstruction of the original biometric information.
Secure Storage Solutions: Use hardware security modules (HSMs) or trusted execution environments (TEEs) to protect stored templates. These provide isolated, secure environments for sensitive data.
Minimize Data Retention: Store biometric templates only as long as necessary. Implement automatic deletion policies to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Combine biometrics with other authentication factors (e.g., passwords, OTPs) to enhance security.
Access Control: Restrict access to biometric databases using role-based access control (RBAC) and audit logs to monitor unauthorized attempts.
Example: A banking app stores fingerprint templates by encrypting them with AES-256 and storing them in a secure cloud database with TEE protection. Users must also enter a PIN for additional verification.
For secure cloud-based storage, consider Tencent Cloud’s Key Management Service (KMS) for encryption key management and Tencent Cloud Database Encryption to protect sensitive biometric data. Additionally, Tencent Cloud TEE-based solutions ensure isolated, secure processing of biometric templates.