Technological innovations are certain to replace passwords and the smart money seems to be on our identities being secured by our own bodies. Microsoft recently announced that its latest version of Windows will feature support for face, iris and fingerprint recognition but tests are taking place that use a less visible body part; your heartbeat. Canadian firm Bionym has created the Nymi Band, a bracelet that stores the unique rhythm of the wearer’s pulse. When paired with a smartphone app via Bluetooth the bracelet becomes part of a sophisticated security process matching the pre-stored heart rhythm with that of the wearer. If it doesn’t match, the transaction cannot continue. Royal Bank of Canada is among the first to run trials with the Nymi Band, which could also be used to prove identity remotely according the manufacturers.
