Disclosed is a method and apparatus for authenticating a user on a mobile device. The method may include initiating authentication of the user for access to the mobile device, where access to the mobile device is granted upon successful authentication of the user by the mobile device. The method may also include performing face recognition analysis on an image of a face of the user to determine an identity of the user. Furthermore, the method may also include determining whether a first pulse information and a second pulse information associated with the user indicate a pulse match. The method may also include authenticating the user for access to the mobile device when a pulse match is determined and the determined identity of the user has permission to access the mobile device.