Research Article

Understanding biometric-based systems for detecting and preventing cyber-attacks: Current trends, emerging technologies, and synthetic biometrics

Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani 333031, India

^* Corresponding author (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Received: 10 August 2025
Revised: 19 December 2025
Accepted: 22 January 2026

Abstract

Today, everyone is heavily dependent on computers, mobile devices, and digital systems/applications to store, access, and transmit their data and personal information. On the other hand, cybersecurity threats, exploitation of digital systems, and new, complex cyberattacks are evolving daily. This requires a growing need for innovative approaches to protecting data beyond traditional methods. The study explores the use of biometric systems in cybersecurity for the prevention and detection of cyberattacks by integrating them for authenticating and authorizing individuals. Biometric authentication is used to verify an individual’s identity and grant them access based on their roles or authorizations. The paper focuses on understanding current trends and emerging technologies in biometric systems, while recognizing that these systems are not immune to cyberattacks. Can synthetic biometric data that is generated using virtual identities be an option to be considered to minimize the risk of exposing user identity in the event of a data breach, and as a means to preserve privacy, be explored as part of this research? A qualitative study is carried out using existing literature and analyzed based on the generated themes. The outcome of the study resulted in a multi-layered conceptual framework integrating the modalities of biometric systems with synthetic data and a model offering a feedback loop that can enhance operational efficiency and cultivate user trust and resilience. The study also provides insights relevant to businesses and researchers to build their systems and enhance research from a user perspective.