When it comes to access control for businesses, one of the most effective identification technologies available is biometric finger recognition.
This is according to Guenter Nerlich, Executive Manager, EAD Solutions – Access & Workforce Management at dormakaba, a leading global manufacturer of products, solutions and services for secure access to buildings and rooms.
Nerlich says biometric finger recognition is straightforward and user friendly, but highly effective.
He says the biometric reading unit creates a unique recognition template based on distinctive features of the fingertip, which involves a mathematical description of position coordinates.
“It is important to note that this template is stored in a one-off enrolment process as the unique reference for the person. No visual finger is reproduced from this reference template. Two different fingers are always registered in order to guarantee reliable recognition at all times,” Nerlich continues.
If an employee wishes to identify themselves at a terminal, they place their finger on the sensor. The finger is compared with the stored reference template. If this tallies, the time or access booking is carried out.
Flexible methodology
With the flexibility of biometric technology there are various options available in terms of access control.
As Nerlich explains, businesses can take advantage of the so-called identification method in which reference templates are stored in the collection terminal.
If an employee places their finger on the sensor, a so-called 1:n comparison is made. This means that the finger is compared with all reference templates allocated to this terminal. If this tallies, the time or access booking is carried out.
“This is otherwise known as a ‘badge-free method’ and each person identifies themselves solely with their fingerprint. A key benefit is that the fingerprint is always there and cannot be forgotten or stolen,” says Nerlich.
Another option for businesses is the verification method in which the personal reference template is stored on the employee’s badge. If a person places their finger on the sensor, a 1:1 comparison is made, in contrast to identification.
The reference template is first read from the badge and is then compared with the finger that has just been placed. If the two features tally, the time is recorded or the accessed granted. Verification not only represents a very fast and secure type of recognition, but can also be used in countries where strict data protection regulations apply.
Nerlich emphasises the benefits of biometric technology, including its simplicity, security (biometric features cannot be forgotten, lost, stolen or passed on to third parties), data protection, and cost savings (fewer erroneous bookings, fewer corrections, no badges and no badge administration), among others.
“In today’s security-conscious and data-driven market, reliable technology to safeguard personnel and property is an absolute asset. We are on the frontline of the integration of next-generation access control and time & attendance management technology – as a result of innovation within biometric fingerprint identification, we have added a new and exciting layer of management and control and placed this directly in the hands of business operators,” Nerlich adds.
