Remember that sinking feeling when you try to enter your office but realize you left your access card at home? In today’s security landscape, traditional access control methods can leave the door wide open to security breaches and poor workplace experiences.
But what if security could be as unique and intrinsic as your own fingerprint? Enter biometric access control. This technology, once relegated to sci-fi thrillers, is rapidly transforming the way businesses safeguard their assets and creates a seamless experience for employees.
In this article, we explore what biometric access control is, the various technologies, and their advantages. Whether you are a business owner looking to upgrade your security measures or simply curious about the future of access control, this article will provide a comprehensive understanding of the exciting developments in biometric technology.
What is biometric access control?
A biometric access control system uses unique physical characteristics like fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans to identify individuals and grant them access to restricted areas of buildings.
Unlike traditional access control systems, such as key cards or passwords, biometric authentication methods recognize you!
How does biometric access control work?
To implement biometric controls, security teams first need to capture the physical characteristics — fingerprints, eyes, or faces — of each user enrolled in a system. During enrolment a biometric access control reader or scanner captures a user’s features to create a template.
Upon presentation at an access point the reader captures the same characteristics again and compares them to the stored template in a lightning-fast verification process. If they match, the door swings open, granting access to authorized individuals.
Types of biometric access control
While there are many types of biometric authentication, some of the most widely used solutions include:
- Fingerprint door locks or a fingerprint entry system
- Vein recognition
- Facial recognition door locks
- Eye scan door locks
- Retinal scan door locks
- Iris scan door locks
Fingerprint door locks
Fingerprint technology serves as one of the most commonly employed forms of biometric access control, widely utilized by mobile users to unlock their devices. Unique characteristics inherent in fingerprints provide secure and accurate verification for access control.
A 3D scanner captures an enhanced image of the finger or thumb, which is then converted into a template encompassing multiple characteristics.
When users touch the fingerprint reader, it scans their fingerprint or thumbprint. If the characteristics match the stored template, the door lock opens.
Fingerprint access control is highly accurate and provides reliable security for protected areas. To ensure optimal accuracy while using a fingerprint biometric device, make sure your finger or thumbprint is clean and free from injury.
Facial recognition door locks
Facial recognition is a security measure that has been used for many years in high-security environments such as casinos. Today, technology has advanced so much that even many phones are capable of mapping key points on a person's face to match with their identity.
Facial recognition door lock systems use 2D or 3D images of a user's face as a template for authentication. An image of the person's face is captured and transformed into a mathematical code. When presented at a reader, the security software analyzes the person's facial features and sends a release signal when a match is confirmed. This entire process takes only a few seconds.
An example of this comes from GardaWorld’s employment of Gallagher's integration with IDEMIA's VisionPass.
Facial recognition was at the top of GardaWorld's list for their new headquarters in Montreal as it offers a smoother, more fluid experience for the many people coming and going each day. Now, within the Gallagher Command Centre system, GardaWorld enjoys the convenience of a unified solution, eliminating the need for separate systems and integrations. With biometric integrations like IDEMIA's VisionPass and Morpho Wave, GardaWorld's staff moves effortlessly within their headquarters, without the hassle and security risk associated with lost ID cards.
Eye and retina scan door locks
Eye scanners utilize high-resolution cameras and infrared light to create a detailed map of the eye. This information is then translated into a template that serves as a unique credential for accessing biometric systems. Different eye scanner technologies use different parts of the eye.
A retinal scan lock uses retina scanning technology to identify individuals by capturing an image of their retinal blood vessel pattern.
An iris scan lock captures the unique patterns in the colored circles of an individual's eyes for biometric verification.
Other types of biometric technology
While fingerprint, facial recognition and eye scan door locks are the most common types of biometric entry systems, other technologies, such as voice recognition and vein matching are also found in biometric door locks for business.
Voice recognition is a type of biometric authentication that is not used as widely as other forms. It involves storing voice samples in a database and analyzing them to identify unique speaking patterns of an individual.
Vein matching is another form of biometric access authentication that analyzes patterns of blood vessels, usually in the fingers or palms. A biometric lock door reader shines infrared light onto the user’s hand and compares it with the biometric template in the database to grant access.
Portable biometric access control systems are a recent development in the field of biometrics. These devices usually employ a 4G connection to communicate with security systems rather than using an internet connection. They are ideal for law enforcement and construction settings where there is no power or internet.
Advantages of biometric access control
Biometric access control is gaining popularity as a security solution because it offers several advantages over traditional methods. One of the biggest advantages is that it eliminates the need for physical keys, swipe cards, or access codes that can easily fall into the wrong hands. This not only ensures convenience for users who don't have to remember passwords or carry physical keys, but also minimizes the risk of unauthorized access.
With biometric access control, only individuals whose biological information has been stored in the system can gain access. This ensures a high level of security and significantly reduces the chances of hacking or tampering.
Overall, biometric access control is becoming a go-to security solution for organizations and businesses that need to protect sensitive areas and information.
Biometric technology, tailored to your needs
The beauty of biometric access control lies in its versatility. Gallagher Security's comprehensive range of solutions caters to a diverse spectrum of security needs, from high-security government facilities to bustling corporate offices. Whether you require multi-factor authentication for sensitive areas or convenient touchless access for common spaces, our team of experts can help you design a solution tailored to your unique requirements.
Contact our team to learn more about our suite of biometric integrations.
