Samsung SDS, a technology service unit of Samsung Group, said Monday it has joined a global consortium of tech companies developing a simpler but stronger authentication system.

The company is the latest member of the Fast Identity Online Alliance whose 190 member companies include Samsung Electronics, Google, Microsoft, VISA and PayPal.

The membership has paved the way for the global entry of its biometric security solutions, the company said.

FIDO, established in 2012, develops standards-based alternatives for verifying a user’s identity when trying to log in to websites or online accounts. They propose standardizing specifications that will support a variety of authentication technologies such as fingerprint scanners, voice and facial recognition, security tokens, near-field communication and one-time passwords. 

Samsung SDS has also worked on biometric authentication solutions to reduce the reliance on passwords to authenticate users who have to create and remember multiple usernames and passwords.

Its security solutions support biometric technologies such as fingerprint, iris and voice recognition that are secure. Even when the user’s device is hacked, their identity is securely protected, it said.

“We are ready to offer the biometric authentication service not just to device makers but also to online service and security companies,” said Kim Ho, head of the company’s information security division.

The company sees growth potential in the market, with its adoption ranging from smartphones and cars to online shopping and payment.

It has already teamed up with local payment companies to launch the service and plans to go global in the coming months.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)