What is Biometric Access Control?

 

Access control is the ability to limit entry to your property, protect your assets from members of the public, or in the case of business property – unauthorised individuals or ex-employees- and integrate these features with other areas of your security system. Making biometrics inclusive as a feature of your biometric access control system further protects you from all internal and external threats to your business.

 

What It Is

Biometrics are a subset of access control allowing a location to be accessed through purely biometrical data unique to an individual. The true benefit is that it is practically impossible for individuals who are unauthorised to gain any access due to not being able to duplicate a fingerprint or other biological data.

Other than fingerprints, biometrics include iris scanning, facial profiling, and voice patterns – utilised within security technology and increasing the levels of protection overall. The purpose behind access control is the regulation and restriction of access to sensitive and confidential areas of your business.

 

How It Works

To permit entry to a specific part of your business, initially, biometric access control enrolment collects biometric data from any individual you wish to be permitted access. It is important to have a system that encrypts the data as security must be in line with the UK GDPR and protected.

This then creates an encrypted database of biological data about those you wish to have access. It can be customised so that only specific areas of the building are permitted for certain times, such as situations like a bank where employees would have access to main areas and only senior staff have cash safe access.

Fingerprint recognition is the most common biometric access control system, providing the most reliable and readily accepted. A scanner analyses your finger (or thumb) and stores it within the database, allowing for future scans on the biometric reader to match the credential for access. Once match confirmation is verified, the access control software records your entrance activity and lets you in.

Facial recognition is the same type of process where the face is scanned with infrared light to submit access. Smartphone technology has made this more mainstream and widely used, with most advanced mobile technology incorporating this as an option. Facial access control is hands-free and contactless and very valuable in areas where employees would carry items that preclude them from gaining access by hand. Access is swift for employees as they approach the door and their credentials are automatically verified, providing a great user experience.

The tech is advanced, but the concept is simple and effective. Once in place, your biometric control system only allows the correct individuals into the business-sensitive location. This solution is classed as extremely secure as people do not have the ability to simply steal, borrow or clone biometric data.

 

If you are looking to switch the future of your business to one reinforced with biometric security, contact the team at Almas Industries today to discuss biometric access control, biometric readers, or facial scanners for your business or care home security.