What is Biometric Access Control?

Biometric access control is a security device that allows you access to a secure location using unique characteristics of a person such as voice, face, eye, fingerprint or signature.

The system itself will have a list of authorised persons and it will match the characteristic with what is recorded on file. It is very difficult to fool a biometric system because a unique characteristic is hard to duplicate.

The ultimate goal of access control is to restrict access to defined areas to make a business more secure. Biometric Access Control is a growing market because it offers businesses a more secure and convenient way to protect their assets than standard access control.

How does Biometric Access Control work?

A computerised handle or locking device is attached to doors of your choosing. These doors are fitted with a biometric entry system.

Once someone has gone through the door, it will automatically lock behind them so that anyone without the correct “body part” is unable to enter.

Additionally, you are also able to set the doors to provide access at certain times of the day, yet restrict it at others.

Why do businesses use Biometric Access Control?

Most businesses do tend to have a specific reason for choosing access control, here are the most common:

• Are you unsure if your staff are performing their required hours? E.g. Arriving late? Leaving early?
• Are your staff taking excessive breaks such as smoke breaks or snack breaks?
• Is your reception sometimes unmanned and thus allowing for visitors to wander in?
• Are you experiencing theft within your business?
• Do you store sensitive data, in paper or electronic form?
• Do you store medicines or chemicals?
• Do you store weapons?
• Does your business operate at night and you want to protect your staff from unauthorised people entering the office?

Access control offers a secure, convenient, flexible and cost-effective way of controlling who has access to your building, when that access is allowed and where. It provides an extra level of security and peace of mind that locks and keys just can’t.

Different types of Biometric Access Control scanner

Face recognition

One of the most flexible forms of access control as it works quickly and identifies you by numerous characteristics such as the distance between eyes, the shape of lips, cheekbones etc.

Ideal for: Airports, Police, Manufacturing, Government, Healthcare

Fingerprint

Fingerprints are truly unique as no two fingerprints are the same.

One of the flaws of certain fingerprint scanners is that it does rely on the right angle of print.

Ideal for: Healthcare, Schools, Nurseries, Financial industry, Manufacturing and office buildings

Eye Retina

You can’t replicate a retina as the blood vessels at the back of the eye are unique and do not change.

It can take longer than the other biometric scanners to get a read, so may not be suitable if you need to access a location immediately.

Ideal for: Government and Defence buildings, Laboratories.

Eye Iris

It is difficult to replicate an iris. Likewise, it can be difficult to record the scan initially which is worth noting if you have several people to scan.

Ideal for: Government and Defence buildings, Laboratories.

Signature

Possibly one of the least reliable methods of biometric access control as although a signature is unique, it can still be forged.

Ideal for: Most businesses that require minimal security

Voice

Not quite as reliable as the likes of eye scanners because some scanners are fooled by the likes of a tape recording.

Ideal for: Most businesses that require minimal security