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What is Biometric Security?

Biometrics is a cutting-edge layer of personal and enterprise security in which the system being accessed requires a unique physical characteristic or attribute, such as a fingerprint, for entry.

Biometric data can be used to authenticate your identity, as well as secure access to your personal information, computer systems, and even buildings. The technology itself has been around for years, but it’s recently become more advanced and affordable, making it accessible to more people.

Also known as biological recognition, biometric security systems are designed to increase the level of security in public and private sector operations.  This is accomplished by creating a high level of control over who enters high-security facilities or accesses sensitive information.

The most effective biometric systems minimize the risk of identity theft and other breaches in safety by ensuring that only those with the proper credential can access protected information or enter restricted areas.

Types of Biometrics

Fingerprint access control are among the most common types of biometrics; however, there are many other ways in which this technology is used. Biometric security systems use one or more parts of the body to determine if someone is who he/she claims to be. Some of the most common types of biometric security systems include:

Voice recognition: A person’s voice is measured based on his/her pitch, cadence, and other factors.

Iris recognition: The colored ring surrounding a person’s pupil is scanned for authentication purposes.

Facial thermal imaging: A person’s face can be scanned for heat patterns using infrared photography equipment.

Hand geometry recognition systems can be used to verify an individual’s identity through the size and shape of their hand.

How do biometric security systems work?

When you log in to your bank account, your fingerprint, face, or iris is scanned by a camera on your smartphone or tablet. The data is compared with the stored information about you, and then you’re granted access. This might seem like magic, but it’s based on science.

The first part of biometric access control is an enrollment, where the system records what it needs from you to identify you in the future – usually a fingerprint, face, or iris scan. Enrolment takes place just once when a user signs up to the system using special hardware. Sometimes a PIN or password will go alongside this.

After enrollment, your details are stored in the system and used whenever you want to gain access or approve a transaction. The system will compare the information it has recorded with each new attempt and decide whether to grant access.

If there is a match, you will be successfully verified and allowed entry. If not, the system will ask again — usually three times before locking out — and if there is still no match, it will send an alert to security staff telling them there has been an attempted breach of security.

Biometric Systems Benefits

• Quick and Accurate Identification and Authentication
• Accountability at its Best
• Efficient
• Convenience
• Additional Capacity to Accommodate Growth
• Security and Profitability
• Easy to Operate and User Friendly

Biometrics Security is Effective

Biometric security is becoming ubiquitous in our everyday lives. It’s already in use for everything from opening smartphones to verifying a person’s identity at the bank. You can expect biometrics to play an increasing role in your personal and professional lives as the technology continues to evolve. Biometrics is more secure than passwords, which can be stolen or guessed and are so often not secure enough for today’s sophisticated hackers. Biometric security relies on your unique attributes to verify your identity. These features are harder to alter than passwords and cannot be forgotten. Biometric security can protect your accounts from fraud and make your life easier with frictionless authentication for everyday tasks like shopping online or checking bank statements on the go.

At Access Professional Systems, we strive to create solutions tailored to your specific needs and seamlessly increase your level of security.  Get in touch today to discover APS access control systems and solutions.

How do you know you’re in good hands with APS? We’ve successfully installed equipment and services in more than 14,500 projects.  Get a free estimate today or call us directly by phone at 853-223-9982 (CA) or 602-737-2081 (AZ).

We look forward to hearing from you!