Researchers at Birmingham State University, New York believe that it is possible to use people's heartbeats as the second step in a two-factor authentication security system. The researchers have developed an app called Heartbeat Reader which uses your heart rate and other physiological data from you to authenticate you. It is also always with the user and detecting it requires less energy than other types of data. It is thought that this data could be used to authenticate medical records and other sensitive information in a future when doctors are sent health data via fitness trackers. However, stress, exercise and health problems can have a drastic effect on a person’s heart rate.
Researchers at Birmingham State University, New York believe that it is possible to use people's heartbeats as the second step in a two-factor authentication security system. The electrical activity of a heartbeat is unique – more so than a thumbprint or retina scan. It is also always with the user and detecting it requires less energy than other types of data. It is thought that this data could be used to authenticate medical records and other sensitive information in a future when doctors are sent health data via fitness trackers. However, stress, exercise and health problems can have a drastic effect on a person’s heart rate.