How does biometric access work, and who can benefit from it?

Biometric access control stops unauthorised people from entering your business or building. It uses biometric security technology to identify and authenticate people through their individual biometric information. Although once seen as a niche technology, it is now considered essential for every workplace: small businesses, huge corporations, and everything in between.

Healthcare providers, government offices, educational facilities, and corporate offices can benefit hugely from biometric access technology as it increases protection and provides an extra layer of security for buildings, people, and property. Traditional security measures such as keys, fobs, cards, passwords, and PINs cannot provide the same level of security or scalability as biometric access control. 

Let’s look at how biometric access works and who can benefit from it.

What is biometric access control?

Biometric access control turns a person into a key. Three types of biometric information can be used for biometric security; however, access control generally only operates via morphological biometrics, which use an individual's body structure or physical characteristics such as the iris, voice, face, or fingerprint. These features are unique to the individual; therefore, they are secure and very complicated to falsify.  

Biometric access control uses this morphological data to either grant or deny an individual access to a building or specific area. 

How does biometric access control work?

To function, biometric access control systems first require users to provide their biometric data—anything from a voice sample to an eye scan. This information is mapped, encrypted, and saved. It can then be used to confirm the individual's identity.

The security system operator must select the places or areas an individual user is allowed to access in the building; access rights are registered together with the user’s biometric information. When the user tries to access an area, the system analyses their biometric data for a match on the database. If there is a match, the identity is verified, and they are granted access, but if there is no match, access is denied.

Fingerprints are one of the most common forms of biometric access control as they are easy and convenient. Iris scanning is also commonly used as it is hygienic and very difficult to copy. Facial recognition technology is another popular method. However, there are many different types of access control systems available. Read this blog for more information on the pros and cons of each system.

Regardless of the biometric data you use, access control always works in the same way.

• Users provide their unique biometric information.
• The information is added to a database. 
• Individuals are given access to the areas for which they have authorisation.
• Users are scanned when they try to gain access.
• If their data is in the database and they have access to that specific area, they are granted access. If not, they are denied access.

Some systems use only one form of biometric information to grant access to users. However, businesses and buildings that require more robust security may employ a combination of several biometric sources. Legacy security systems can be replaced by biometric security or may also be complemented with biometrics such as a biometric mobile phone access control system.

What are the benefits of biometric access control?

Passwords can be copied, PINs guessed, and keycards stolen. But biometric technology provides far higher security than traditional access control as each person's biometrics are different. 

With biometric scanning, entering a building without authorisation is very difficult. The only way to gain access is if someone has exactly the same biological data stored in the system. It's impossible to mimic biometric data, and you can't guess at it—the only way is if you have an authorised user's finger or eye.

Biometric technology also improves user experience as people's identities can be confirmed quickly and conveniently. This is particularly useful in places such as higher education facilities where the fast, uninterrupted flow of people is necessary for efficiency. And another benefit is that your biometrics cannot be lost, stolen, or forgotten, unlike ID cards.

What sectors can benefit from biometric access?

Any business or building, large or small, can benefit from biometric control. It doesn't matter whether you have two employees or two hundred; biometric access will make your building, employees, and assets safer. However, the following sectors can particularly benefit from biometric security. 

Healthcare providers

Healthcare providers’ facilities contain a huge amount of private and sensitive data, which requires a robust security system. Hospitals particularly need to restrict access to many areas, including places exclusively for staff and other areas that may contain infectious patients.

Government facilities

Government departments are full of people with different levels of clearance as they contain so much classified information and private data. They will benefit from biometric access control to make things as secure as possible. The security measure can be used to block off areas in buildings and prevent unauthorised individuals from entering spaces where they can view sensitive data.

Educational facilities

Schools and universities should be made as secure as possible. Many external contractors enter these facilities; therefore, it is paramount to verify their identities, restrict their access times, and only grant them access to certain areas.

Corporations

All businesses can benefit from increased protection of their employees and assets. And biometric access control can also help workers register at their place of work. Filing and documentation rooms can also be restricted to several users. 

Police stations and prisons

It’s obvious why police stations and prisons would benefit from biometric access control. They are in the business of keeping people in and out of the premises to ensure public safety.

Frequent questions about biometric access systems

How long do they take to install, and how much do they cost?

You would be forgiven for thinking that biometric systems are hugely expensive. Of course, they are more costly than one key and one lock. However, you can make savings if you need to scale. Also, you won't have to change all the locks every time one person loses their keycard. And the building itself will be more secure, thus less easily compromised. 

The exact price of installing biometric access control depends on what type of biometrics you want to use and how many entries you want to secure. Installation time correlates to the size of the project. A professional biometric security installer will be able to give you an approximate cost if you provide them with an idea of your needs.

Are there any ongoing costs?

If you want to save money in the long run, regular maintenance is recommended. Regular management, cleaning, and software or network updates are necessary to keep the security up-to-date and running accurately. If you have the expertise, you can manage this in-house; if not, you might need the assistance of a biometric security contractor.

Conclusion 

Traditional security systems today are comparable to dial-up internet in the early 2000s. They were cutting-edge in their day, but the technology has advanced—making things better for everyone. Biometric access is more secure, easier to use, and ever-more affordable than traditional systems. However great it was at the time, no one still uses dial-up.