US provider of multi-factor security services PhoneFactor has added biometric verification to its phone-based authentication platform.

By leveraging an existing voice channel, the new offering simultaneously verifies something the consumer already has – that is, his telephone - and something he is, namely his voiceprint, for the second and third factors of authentication.

PhoneFactor’s new offering does not require the purchase and installation of biometric readers. The user’s voiceprint is verified during the PhoneFactor authentication call. Users thus receive a call when logging in, they answer and speak their passphrase to complete the login. Once the voice authentication service has been enabled for a specific user, he can enrol through the PhoneFactor User Portal or during their first authentication call. To complete the enrolment, users need to record a passphrase.

Like a fingerprint, each individual’s voice is unique and has characteristics, such as pitch and rhythm, which can be mapped and used to verify identity. PhoneFactor’s voice mapping model uses multiple voiceprint algorithms to ensure that authorized users can be verified regardless of environmental factors, like excess noise or minor voice variations.