As they have developed, access control systems have adopted new technologies to improve security and offer more practical uses. A good example of this is the use of biometric features as a means of demonstrating a person’s authorisation. This is a smart security solution for the 21st century and has a range of advantages over more analogue security systems, such as using a traditional key or using other physical means of access and entry, such as a card, fob or keypad.
A biometric access control system is the use of a unique biological feature to demonstrate authorisation to enter a building. The most common examples of this are facial recognition, a retina scan of the eyeball, or a fingerprint scan. In these cases a person would present the chosen biometric feature to a sensor at the access control point, and an IT system would use its database to see if the scan matches with a pre-authorised biometric feature. If it does, that person is granted access. Here we have listed the key benefits of using biometric features to activate an access control system.
- Enhanced security
The biometric feature that a person presents is completely unique. It is non-transferable so nobody can defraud the system by copying or stealing this means of entry. Matching the biometric feature to a database of approved features therefore ensures that only authorised people can enter a building.
- Convenience
One flaw in using a physical key card, a key fob or a traditional key, is that this physical item can be lost or forgotten. Obviously a person will always have a biometric feature available to use, so this limitation is avoided as there is no need to retrieve an item from a bag, or to search for it in pockets etc.
- Efficient
In locations where there is high traffic, the entry process can be slowed considerably if physical interaction is required to gain entry. This can be searching for a card or fob, or inputting a PIN code in a keypad. With a biometric feature the user can very quickly do a scan and the system will authorise their entry, enabling people to gain access to a building much faster and more efficiently.
- Cost-effective
There is less management required for a biometric access control system because the process is essentially unmanned and works automatically. This also means it works around the clock and enables a business to operate 24/7, which can reduce costs. However, this is also true of most access control systems. The main cost benefit of using biometric features is that you don’t need to purchase, programme and issue a physical item, such as a card or fob. And you don’t need to replace these when lost or stolen, or retrieve them when someone leaves the business. There is an initial set-up when someone joins the business or when the system is implemented, but that is the only management cost required to maintain a biometric system.
- Customisable
It is very easy to tailor a biometric access control system to your own needs. This can be restricting certain personnel, or restricting access at certain times of day or to certain zones within a building. This can be very quickly set-up in the central management system.
- Integration
As a biometric access control system is a smart security solution, this means it can be integrated to work with other existing systems in the workplace. This could be CCTV or intruder alarm systems, but data and audit trails produced by the system can also be useful for HR systems and health and safety compliance.
A range of access control systems from EM-B
At EM-B we have a range of specialist access control systems which can be designed and tailored to suit your needs. Our access control systems take security one step further and bring additional practical benefits such as efficiency, convenience and integration with other business systems. So download our brochure and check out which system could work for you.
