In recent years, the technology of biometrics has taken a giant leap and its applications have expanded significantly. One of the most significant applications of biometrics is in the field of access control systems. A biometrics access control system uses biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scanning, and voice recognition, to grant or deny access to a facility or device.
Instead of using traditional methods such as keys or passwords, biometrics access control systems use unique physical or behavioral characteristics to authenticate an individual. They are increasingly being used for security purposes in various industries, such as finance, healthcare, and government.
What is Biometrics-based access control?
A biometric access control system is a security system that uses unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, and voice recognition, to authenticate a person’s identity and grant access to a secured area or device. The access point could be a door, elevator, turnstile, or any doorway that allows only authorized users to pass beyond a certain point. This technology is used to improve security and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information or restricted areas.
Biometric data is captured and stored in a database and compared against the data of individuals seeking access. The system provides a high level of security and accuracy as biometric characteristics are unique to each individual, making it difficult for anyone to impersonate or replicate another person’s identity.
Types of biometrics access control systems
While biometrics is popularly synonymous with fingerprint access control—one of the oldest biometrics that was used for signing and authenticating confidential documents in early civilizations, there are other types of biometrics.
Among these types, facial recognition has gained popularity in the recent years. Facial recognition is a biometric technology that uses facial features to identify and authenticate individuals. It analyzes specific features of the face, such as the distance between the eyes or the shape of the jawline, to create a unique facial signature that can be used to verify identity. It is used for various applications, including security, surveillance, and access control. We shall discuss it in detail later in this blog.
What are the pros and cons of biometrics access control systems?
Pros of Biometrics
- Specific to the user
- Difficult to create a duplicate
- Easy permission management control
- Accurate access control
- No need for the user to remember the access code
- Biometric ID is always available
- Efficient and quick access control
- Reduced need for security personnel
- No replacement cost
Cons of biometrics
- Systems are susceptible to wear and damage.
- Cuts, bruises, and scans can significantly change fingerprints, making identification difficult.
- Fingerprint devices require physical contact, which makes them unhygienic.
- Third parties with 3D printing and fingerprint analysis technologies can easily duplicate the ID.
- Iris scanners can capture images from more than 40 yards away, increasing privacy risks.
- Voice-based systems don’t address privacy concerns.
- Voice recognition is not useful in noisy areas.
- People may not have consistent signatures, which makes authorization difficult.
Fingerprint Biometrics
Most people understand how fingerprint biometrics work. It uses the unique pattern of ridges and valleys on an individual’s fingers to identify and authenticate them. It captures an individual’s fingerprint image and compares it to a stored database to verify their identity. It is commonly used for access control, security, and forensic applications. Modern-day fingerprint access systems are cost-effective and mass-produced. For example, these systems are used in modern smartphones to authorize access for the owner of the phone.
Pros of fingerprint biometrics
- Specific to the user
- Difficult to create a duplicate
- Easy permission management control
- Accurate access control
- No need for the user to remember the access code
- Biometric ID is always available
- Efficient and quick access control
- Reduced need for security personnel
- No replacement cost
Cons of Fingerprint Biometrics
- Systems are susceptible to wear and damage.
- Cuts, bruises, and scans can significantly change fingerprints, making identification difficult.
- Fingerprint devices require physical contact, which makes them unhygienic.
- Third parties with 3D printing and fingerprint analysis technologies can easily duplicate the ID.
- Iris scanners can capture images from more than 40 yards away, increasing privacy risks.
- Voice-based systems don’t address privacy concerns.
- Voice recognition is not useful in noisy areas.
- People may not have consistent signatures, which makes authorization difficult.
Facial recognition
Facial biometrics is one of the various modes of a biometric system that is used widely. Individuals are authorized based on facial vectors and features. For example, iPhones use Face ID to increase smartphone security, moving beyond fingerprint-based authentication. The banking sector has started using facial recognition for Electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) and employee attendance. These systems can be adapted to verify health measures, such as using face masks or body temperature scanning. Smart advertising systems also use facial recognition for targeted advertising.
Pros of facial biometrics
- Completely contactless
- Offers a convenient and efficient way to authenticate.
- A high level of accuracy in identifying individuals
- Can be used in a variety of applications, including security, access control, surveillance, and marketing.
- Can quickly process large amounts of data and identify individuals in real-time
- Can be easily integrated into existing security systems
- Can scale to accommodate large numbers of users or applications.
Cons of facial biometrics
- Facial expressions may result in recognition errors.
- Facial accessories may result in authentication failure.
- Facial features can be captured from far away, making the system vulnerable to security risks.
- Privacy concerns include recognition without consent.
A quick guide for choosing the best biometric access control system
Biometrics-based systems are useful in authenticating users for restricted access. Employees can be assigned different levels of access to the same center depending on their permissions, and there is no need for key cards, strip cards, or passwords to enable restricted access.
e-Passports are now widely used to prevent counterfeit and duplicate documents. Biometric technology has simplified attendance systems and company payroll systems. Likewise, financial institutions incorporate biometrics involving bodily features to ensure customer authenticity.
Facial recognition systems are useful when identification is more critical than authentication, such as in law enforcement. Accurate facial mapping technologies can identify a person even with makeup.
Facial emotion recognition has vastly improved the use of facial recognition systems. It is instrumental in marking attendance during meetings because a single image can identify all the participants in the image. The incorporation of AI technology results in better facial recognition algorithms that can learn continuously. They are used in quickly finding missing people based on CCTV footage.
Various countries and institutions use FR systems for identification, authentication and authorization for purposes other than simply granting access. For e.g. China plans to use facial recognition systems for its social credit system. Airports use facial recognition to enable people to move through security more quickly. Voter identification in Brazil’s electoral systems also relies on facial recognition.
The right security authentication system for your organization depends on your security needs. You need to maximize authorization when restricting access to heavy machinery, confidential documents, financial vaults, or proprietary research. A combination of biometrics involving palm-vein analysis, iris scans, and more can be used in such cases. Facial recognition automates attendance and payroll management, completely eliminating the need for manual checks. In many organizations, biometrics and facial recognition technologies are used in parallel depending on the security and vulnerability risks involved.
FAQs
- What is the difference between biometrics and access control?
Biometrics and access control are related but distinct concepts in the field of security. Access control is a broader concept that encompasses various authentication methods, including biometric technology, while biometric technology is a specific type of authentication method that can be used in an access control system.
- How do biometrics help to control access to computers?
Biometric technology can be used to control access to computers by verifying the identity of the user through their unique physical traits. When a user attempts to log into a computer system, the biometric scanner captures their biometric data, such as their fingerprint, face, or iris, and compares it to a stored database of authorized users. If the biometric data matches an authorized user, the system grants access to the computer.
- What are the security features of a biometric access control system?
A biometric access control system typically includes various security features to ensure the safety and integrity of the system. Some examples of these security features include:
- Multi-factor authentication: Biometric access control systems can incorporate multi-factor authentication, which requires two or more forms of authentication, such as a biometric scan and a password, to access the system.
- Audit trail: The system can log and store all access attempts, including successful and unsuccessful attempts, and the time and date of each attempt.
- Access levels: Biometric access control systems can be configured to provide different access levels to different users, based on their role or clearance level.
- Time-based access: The system can restrict access to certain areas or functions during specific times of the day, which can enhance security and prevent unauthorized access.
- Anti-tailgating measures: Biometric access control systems can include anti-tailgating measures, such as sensors and alarms, to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas behind authorized users.
- Redundancy: Biometric access control systems can include redundancy measures, such as backup servers and power supplies, to ensure that the system remains operational in case of a failure.
