Restricting access is an effective means for security teams to manage and monitor entrances and internal areas of any building effectively. Biometric access control is a growing trend in this aspect. Biometric access control, as the name suggests, makes use of human features to authenticate individuals who have permission to enter a secured apace. These biometric access control systems rely on features like fingerprint access, facial recognition, iris or retinal scanning to authenticate users before allowing access.
But still the concept of biometric access control may not be clear to most our readers. Therefore first let us explore what biometric access control is all about. Biometric access control uses unique biological features or characteristics to validate the identity of a user. Biometrics is unique to each and every individual. As a result biometrics offers a very high level of accuracy. That is why biometric security measures are a suitable option to control access in areas of high security. Compared to traditional credentials like passwords, PIN codes, key cards and others, biometrics proves to be much stronger and more reliable form of security. The traditional credentials may be lost or shared with unauthorised individuals. There is no such risk with biometrics.
Usually biometrics access control is used to secure highly restricted areas inside a building. These days, biometrics entry systems are also used in high traffic areas.
How does biometric access control systems function
In order to implement biometric controls it is important to collect physical characteristics like finger prints, faces, retinas, eyes or irises of every user who is enrolled in the system. Sophisticated scanners are used to get biometric measurements. Using one such measurement a three dimensional biometric template is created. The template is saved in a secure database.
In the next step a biometric access control scanner or reader compares a user’s biological features with the template stored in the database. When the features match the system issues a signal to open a digital biometric door lock. This is how a biometric door access control system allows a valid user access to a high security area.
You can use biometric credentials as the only form of identification. Or if you want you can use it with other credentials to facilitate multi factor authentication of MFA. Implementing multi factor authentication with biometric security measures proves to be a stronger and more reliable level of protection for high security areas.
Here is something important that you should remember under all circumstances. The entire process of obtaining, storing and using templates for biometric access control must be performed with consent from a user. Moreover this entire procedure has to comply with any local or national privacy law that is in existence.
A small example here may prove to be helpful in understanding this feature. As far as the United kingdom is concerned there is no single comprehensive federal law related to collection and use of biometric data. But the states of England, Illinois and Texas have recently passed biometric privacy laws while some other states, like scotland, wales and the State of London, have enhanced their existing laws recently. As far as most of the European nations are concerned, biometric templates are to be stored on access cards and not in a separate database. This is required to comply with local country-wise privacy regulations as well as the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR which is followed in the EU.
Different types of biometric entry systems
There are numerous varieties of biometric door access control systems available in the market. Obviously the best biometric door locks include a combination of strong and bolstered security with ease for users. Some of the popular solutions in this category include the following –
- Facial recognition door locks
- Fingerprint door locks (also known as fingerprint entry system)
- Iris scan door locks
- Eye scan door locks
- Retinal scan door locks
While selecting biometric access control system for your business you must remember certain points. It will help you select the most appropriate product that caters to all your needs.
- Collecting biometric data of users must be easy and smooth
- The system itself must be easy to use
In addition to that you must also consider your budget.
A fingerprint door lock system is much reasonable in price compared to that of an iris scan door lock. The cost even spirals up higher when you have to secure a large area that has many entry and exit points.
About fingerprint door locks
Fingerprints possess unique characteristics. It is because of those characteristics fingerprints are useful in biometric access control systems. Biometric access control systems that have fingerprint credentials a three dimensional scanner is used. This scanner takes an enhanced image of the grid lines of the finger or the thumb. The image that it takes includes all the fine details.
The image is then converted to a template which shows multiple characteristics of the fingerprint, like bifurcations and ridge endings. As a user when you reach a fingerprint reading door lock system you make physical contact with the door reader. The door reader then scans your fingerprint or thumbprint. The network that supports this fingerprint access control system then transmits the image of your fingerprint or thumbprint to the biometric door lock commercial database. The database compares the image with the stored template to either grant or deny you access through the door.
When there is a correct match between the image and the template stored in the database, the system triggers a release signal and the fingerprint door lock opens up. Access control using fingerprints is highly accurate form of authentication. In easier words it is a reliable and trusted way to protect high security areas. Commercial Electrician London proves suitable for commercial fingerprint door locks as well as many other security applications that look for an easy to use, simple but at the same time reliable and trusted form of authentication.
Even a large number of smartphone users are used to this technology. These smartphone users belong to a single category that relies on biometric solutions to secure their devices. According to experts who deal in commercial key fob door entry systems smartphone biometric identities can also be used in combination with a mobile credential. This forms a two-factor authentication or 2FA. In that case you do not have to install an additional biometric access control device.
