Methods of storing and decrypting biometrics templates on a terminal network are described. A biometrics template 14 is encrypted 18 using a key 16, and the key 16 is then divided into a number of key shares 20. The encrypted template 18, a key share 20, and a user identifier 22 are then combined to give an identification string 24. A number of strings 24 are then stored on separate terminals 26 of a terminal network 28. To decrypt the template 14, a user offers their identifier 22 to a terminal 26. The required number of identification strings 24 having that identifier 22 are retrieved from their respective terminals 26 on the network 28, and the key shares 20 combined to generate a key 16 which is then used to decrypt the template 14. The decrypted template 14 may then be used to verify the identity of the user. Using the present method, neither the unencrypted template nor the complete decryption key are transferred across the network, so improving security.