In early 2020, the world faced an invisible threat that will end nearly every aspect of daily life. COVID-19 brought a renewed awareness around hygiene, physical interaction, and safety. Seemingly overnight, practices once considered normal like scanning a fingerprint on a biometric device were suddenly viewed as potential health hazards. 

This moment became a powerful inflection point for identity verification technologies. And from that urgency, contactless biometrics emerged as a technological advancement and a necessity. 

The Pandemic Push: From Optional to Urgent 

Before COVID-19, biometric systems especially fingerprint and hand scanners, were popular for access control and time attendance in corporate offices, airports, and public services. But the pandemic raised immediate concerns about surfaces touched by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people daily. 

This fear of surface transmission and the need for social distancing forced organizations to look for faster, more hygienic alternatives. What was once a futuristic option quickly becoming an urgent requirement. 

Biometrics Reimagined: The Contactless, Multifactor Shift

Contactless biometrics have evolved far beyond simple face scans. Today’s advanced systems leverage multifactor biometric authentication, a secure combination of multiple contactless identifiers, to ensure accuracy and hygiene without physical touch.

These include:

• Facial recognition
• Iris recognition
• Voice recognition
• Palm vein or contactless fingerprint recognition
• Behavioral biometrics (e.g., typing patterns, gait analysis, device interaction behavior)

Unlike traditional systems, these modalities work seamlessly across multiple devices and infrastructures—such as CCTV networks, smartphones, tablets, laptops, kiosks, and edge-based IoT environments.

During the height of the pandemic, these contactless multifactor systems were also integrated with features like thermal scanning, mask detection, and fever screening, reinforcing public safety and real-time health surveillance.

The result? A smarter, frictionless identity verification experience—perfectly aligned with the world’s post-pandemic priorities.

Real-World Applications That Took Off 

Governments and industries didn’t just adopt contactless biometrics—they accelerated them. Here are a few key areas where this transformation took place: 

Airports & Border Control 

Countries like Singapore, UAE, and the U.S. adopted facial recognition boarding and contactless immigration clearance to reduce physical document exchange. 

Corporate Offices & Enterprises 

Companies replaced fingerprint attendance with face-based time tracking and entry systems to protect their workforce and meet compliance requirements. 

Healthcare Institutions 

Hospitals and clinics integrated contactless identity verification to avoid spreading infection while managing digital patient records and medication dispensing. 

Governments & Public Services 

Digital identity was used for vaccine registration, financial aid, and citizen authentication—especially in countries with vast populations like India. 

The Long-Term Impact: More Than Just a Safety Measure 

What started as a response to a health emergency has evolved into a redefined identity and access management standard. The benefits of contactless biometrics extend beyond hygiene: 

• Speed and efficiency 

• Remote verification capabilities 

• Reduced fraud and identity theft 

• Operational scalability 

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the contactless biometrics technology market is expected to grow from $19.7 billion in 2022 to $39.8 billion by 2027, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.1% during the forecast period. This surge reflects global demand for safer, faster, and more scalable biometric technologies driven by post-pandemic realities.

Challenges on the Path Forward 

Like all technologies, contactless biometrics face challenges that need addressing: 

• Privacy & Data Protection: Ethical usage and decentralization have become critical with more biometric data collected. 

• Accuracy: Face masks and poor lighting conditions can reduce system effectiveness. 

• Accessibility: Rural areas and low-tech environments still face implementation hurdles. 

These challenges present an opportunity for innovation—especially in AI-powered, privacy-first biometric systems. 

From a Crisis to a Catalyst 

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just change how we live and work—it changed how we identify and trust. Contactless biometrics moved from niche innovation to core infrastructure, helping governments and organizations protect people while maintaining operations. 

As we look ahead, this shift toward hygienic, intelligent, and contactless identity systems is safer and smarter. 

Ready to Reimagine Security for a Post-COVID World? 

Explore how AI-powered, multi-factor, contactless biometrics can safeguard your workforce, citizens, and services—with speed, scalability, and trust. 

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