Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide for user authentication, access to data or software applications and/or control of various electronic devices based on hand gesture recognition. The hand gesture recognition can be based on acquiring, by an HD depth sensor, biometrics data associated with user hand gesture including 3D coordinates of virtual skeleton joints, user finger and/or finger cushions. The biometrics data can be processed by machine-learning algorithms to generate an authentication decision and/or a control command. The authentication decision and/or control command can be used to activate a user device, run software or provide access to local or online resources.