Patent attributes
A real identity biometric authentication device includes a USB thumb drive form factor, with a biometric sensor and designated device processor and stored instructions in firmware which perform authentication in a secure manner, independent of processing and storage resources on a host platform. The device and authentication process require biometric data and are secured against effects of malware or other security risks presented by applications running on the host platform. During an enrollment process, a unique encrypted enrollment biometric token is created using biometric data and uploaded securely to an authentication server. During an authentication process, the encrypted enrollment biometric token is downloaded to the real identity authentication device firmware and is decrypted on the device. The biometric data obtained from the decrypted data and is compared with live, real-time biometric data obtained from the user, for example, by a real-time fingerprint scan. If the real-time biometric data and the enrolled, decrypted biometric data match, the user is authenticated.
