Why Biometrics Is Becoming More Viable

Learn how security integrators can use biometrics to gain newfound revenue opportunities.

October 22, 2014 SSI Staff

Fingerprint technology is the most prevalent type of biometric with facial recognition gaining increasing acceptance. Facial recognition is recommended for locations where fingerprints are not practical, such as locations where employees may have dirty hands.

Access control: The principal function of any biometric product is to verify the identity of an individual. Access control in addition requires that the unit unlock a door, grant or deny access based on time restrictions, and monitor door alarms. Products are available (1) that protect a single critical access point; (2) are a full state-of-the art system; (3) can be integrated into conventional access control systems; or (4) can be added to the current conventional access control system.

Time and attendance: Most biometric time and attendance systems utilize fingerprints or faces as identifiers. The typical time and attendance system collects the work time and summarizes it according to the customer’s parameters so that the time can be exported to the payroll service to prepare the pay checks. Customers that utilize biometric time clocks find that it saves significant money by eliminating time card fraud, such as buddy punching and lost or stolen cards, or forgotten passwords. Reducing overpayments for time as little as 10 minutes a day in organizations with 100 employees can easily save as much as $150,000 each year.

Muster systems: Muster systems are recommended for crisis control, such as locations with hazardous materials or dangerous processes. During an evacuation or accident the muster system provides management and first responders with a real-time list of missing persons. This information allows management and first responders to deploy resources where needed. It also provides management information when making announcements or talking with the press.

Visitor management: These systems work much like access control in that positive identification is required of the visitor and an electronic record is made of when, where and who the visitor is. This process greatly reduces record keeping and recording time of end users.

Other common applications: Biometrics can be applied to cabinet control, turnstile control, gate control and dock control to ensure positive identification before the individual can gain entry, operate equipment, etc.

Ultimately the key to using biometric products successfully is to select the product that is appropriate for the application. For instance, fingerprint recognition would not typically be recommended locations for workers hands are constantly soiled.

Advantages of a Multimodal Biometric System

Multimodal biometric systems evolved in the business world due to a variety of reasons. Primarily because integrators and customers were uneasy about trusting a single biometric, manufacturers added a second identifier to increase the accuracy and reliability of the biometric products. A second reason was that the identification technology – be it fingerprints, faces, etc. – was prone to false acceptance of invalid inputs/tries when only a small census of persons were enrolled and another identifier was added to prevent the false acceptance.

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