How to select the best biometric access control system that fits your needs?

Access control systems prevent unwanted visitors and intruders to enter your premise. It provides a secured and safe environment in the office, home, hospitals, etc. Biometric access control systems has become increasingly common in recent years. Choosing the right biometric access control system is indeed an important task. The types depend upon the biometric data being collected. The security, accuracy, and convenience that biometric systems can offer is the major reason why it’s leading in the market.

What are biometric access control technologies, and how do they work?

There are some physical traits in each individual that are unique. Those unique metrics are key data in biometrics technology. So, there is no way for biometric data to be duplicated or tampered with. At first biometric access control devices collects biometric data from all the human beings who have permission to access the particular area/shelf and will save the data into a database. Whenever a person tries to access the door, the system will send the data to check if it matches any of the data previously saved in the database. If it didn’t match access will be denied. If it matches the door will open and let the person in. In total, a biometric access control system acts as an extra layer of the security system that a normal access system can’t provide. In normal access control system it uses passwords that can be easily transferable and anyone with that code can enter the premise. With a biometric system, it’s not at all possible.

Biometric technology can be used for identification and verification. Biometric systems enable organizations to identify or verify a person’s identity through scanning. The availability and affordability make this a common access control system and attendance system in offices.

How to decide which biometric device is right for you?

There are different types of biometric access control systems available and the classification mainly done on the biometric characteristics are being used for the identification and verification. When a person tries to get access, these data should match each other. Face, iris, fingerprint, and palm are the most used physical traits in biometric access control systems. When selecting a biometric system first you have to check its characteristics. Learn the benefits and shortcomings of each and select the one which provides you the level of security you need and matches all your requirements. Check the false rejection rate, equal error rate, and false acceptance rate to know the accuracy level. If you are looking for a biometric system for less security demanding premise, go with fingerprint scanners. In this kind of scenario more than security usability and speed matter. The palm vein, retina, and iris take extra effort to train the users before using the device. Clear user information and guidance are needed while enrolling people and using the system.

The face recognition system offers high accuracy. 2D and 3D face recognition devices are available. In 2D, a 2-dimensional image of the user’s face is captured and converted to a mathematical code. While trying to access it, the camera again scans the face and matches the newly generated code with the stored one. 3D face recognition is more accurate and advanced. Beard, glasses, and scars make it difficult in scanning. In a recent face recognition system, this problem was also solved. The new COSEC Argo face series eliminates this problem with AI-based deep learning technology. COSEC Argo face identifies the users even in challenging environmental conditions.

In the Iris recognition system, an image of the iris needs to create in the well –a light environment.  Like a face recognition system, the captured data is stored as a mathematical code. For high-security applications like banking and locker, iris scanning is the best option as the accuracy and security it provides are the best among all.

In fingerprint and palm vein scanners the finger or palm is scanned. If you are looking for an access control system for a large no. of users then anyone of these is the best. It is easy to use. Accuracy is great. But the weather condition and the positioning of fingers maybe make it difficult in recognizing the data effectively.

Some biometric system comes with multiple options for identification. COSEC Argo comes with new-age credentials like Face, Face & Fingerprint, Face & RFID Card, and Face & PIN.

Depending on your budget, users count, and security level, any one of the systems mentioned above can be used. If a large no. of people need to access within a small time frame, better you go with access cards. The security that biometric systems can provide is incredible. The collected data is stored in encrypted form, so no malpractices will be possible. Although the identification is easy, 100% accuracy isn’t guaranteed. Each biometric access control system has its rate of false acceptance and rejection, and variables like sunlight and sensor cleanliness can impact accuracy.