A voice authentication system having a cognitive recall mechanism for
password verification is provided. A user is enrolled for password
verification by receiving a first voice input from the user representing
the password prompt and a second voice input representing a correct
response to the password prompt. The first and second voice inputs may be
stored as waveforms, as voiceprints, recognized speech data, or a
combination thereof. During verification, the identity of the user is
verified by outputting the user-provided password prompt and evaluating a
response to password prompt against the correct response. Thus, the user
is able to select his own password prompt to facilitate cognitive recall
of the password during a subsequent verification phase.