Biometric Access Control Systems

Biometric access control enhances system entry security and all the main benefits of the system remain, the centralised administration and control software, will control access which can be over one or more remote sites, managing up to 50,000 users and 1000 plus doors.

Access security is enhanced as you now do not have to issue staff with proximity access cards that can lost, lent or misused. Users will have to register their unique thumb, finger, palm, iris or facial scan at a dedicated reader station, which when linked to the system database grants authorised users access

The intuitive access control system software, it is easy to control the privileges and access, of individual users, groups, visitors and contractors, not only by time, but also by individual doors. Manage access to sensitive and high value areas.

Whilst there are many biometric reader options including facial, iris and full palm scanners, the most popular option is the fingerprint recognition reader which typically utilises the scan of a user’s thumb. During the pandemic facial recognition scanners became very popular as an entry technology method because of the non-contact facility that facial scanning provides.

The users scan is retained on the database and stored as a unique algorithm, which is interrogated when a user presents themselves at the reader, then subject to all the time and access permissions, is granted access.

The risk of unauthorised access is now greatly reduced as the authorised user must present themselves in person at the biometric reader to access the door.

Not all biometric readers are suitable for installation externally, specifically facial recognition scanners as they require a stable environment to work reliably, all other biometric readers will work internally and externally, as they are weatherproofed, and vandal proofed with an IP65 rating meaning they will work regardless of the weather or the environment.

Access is not restricted by the user’s thumb print or hand scan and the biometric reader will even cope with users with dirty, cold, or greasy hands, which means that they are suitable in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. That said consideration should be given to a hand sanitisation unit being located adjacent to the scanner area, particularly in dirty or dusty environments.

Yes, the technologies can be mixed, meaning that for high security you can utilise the full biometric technology at the main entrances and maybe internal at the points of high security where security may be restricted, such as server rooms, high value storage areas or document storage departments.

Then at doors with lower security requirements it is possible to use proximity card readers, where a user only has to provide the issued proximity card or fob to gain access, this enables a substantial cost saving as the high cost biometric readers only need to be on the high security entry points.

Temperature measurement is a feature that has become essential during the pandemic as the user now when presenting themselves at the facial scanner not only has to pass the facial algorithm check but must also pass a temperature check. The temperature range is user definable for increased flexibility and to suit business operating protocols.

Access is then only granted to authorised users who also have a temperature that fall within the pre set temperature range. Additionally, users who fail the temperature check, will trigger an alert which can be in the form of an email, to one or more accounts, which could be their line manager or human resources manager who would then immediately aware of the failure and the detail of the person and their recorded temperature.

Facial recognition scanners work by mapping a user’s unique facial structure taking multiple measurements, which include depth of field. These measurements are then stored in the software database using an algorithm, the algorithm allows for variations in the user’s appearance.

When a user presents themselves at the scanner, the system utilising the powerful algorithm takes a combination of measurements of the person presenting themselves at the scanner against the image stored in the database. Based on these measurements the software can decide if the person presenting themselves at the scanner has authorised access through the door or not.

This technology therefore can still work even when a user has grown a beard or is wearing a mask of face covering. The system cannot be fooled by a photograph or print of the user either, because the system also uses the depth of field measurements, making that facial recognition scanner one of the highest security devices available in the access control market.