TelecomsTech (TT) spoke with Stewart Hefferman (SH), CEO of Warwick Warp, at Telecoms Tech World in London this week about the growing capabilities of biometric identity and personalization.
Hefferman previously served as CEO of OmniPerception, a facial recognition and matching system operating under the Digital Barriers brand. With extensive experience in biometrics, he was well-placed to address questions about identity and personalization technologies.
What makes Warwick Warp’s solutions unique?
SH: We provide developers — whether building mobile or PC applications — with a cloud-based service that enables both secure identification and a more personalized user experience. Our platform allows apps to recognize who is using them and tailor interactions accordingly.
How does biometric security improve Android, a platform often criticized for security?
SH: There are two primary benefits. First, biometrics strengthen security by verifying the actual user of the device. Second, they enable personalization: because the system knows who the user is across devices and sessions, it can deliver recommendations, preferences, and continuity. For example, you can launch a new instance of an app on a mobile device and, since the platform recognizes you, the app can seamlessly pick up where you left off on another device.
Can you give examples of the technology in action?
SH: Warwick Warp has a strong foundation in personalization and identity solutions. Our biometric recognition engines are already used in many environments to identify users and tailor experiences. With this new venture, we are extending those capabilities into a cloud-based identity and personalization service, making it easier for developers to integrate secure, personalized features into their applications.
Where is mCommerce heading?
SH: As mobile commerce grows, accurately identifying users becomes increasingly important. Many devices now include biometric sensors — fingerprint readers on smartphones, cameras and microphones that can support face or voice recognition — and these capabilities are becoming standard building blocks for identity services. Whether a platform uses a fingerprint sensor, a camera or a microphone, the ability to identify users will become more prevalent as mCommerce expands, improving both security and user experience.
What are your thoughts on using biometrics to personalize experiences?