Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for safeguarding biometric data. Aspects include receiving a first biometric data unit and generating a template based upon the first biometric data unit. Aspects also include sending the template to a plurality of external template storage devices, each template storage device having a unique device identifier. Aspects also include generating a biometric query including a second biometric data unit. Aspects also include sending the biometric query to at least some of the plurality of external template storage devices. Aspects also include receiving a match score from at least one of the plurality of template storage devices external to the processor, wherein the match score reflects the degree of similarity between the first biometric data unit and the second biometric data unit.