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Guide to Biometric Security

A Businessman’s Guide To Biometric Systems

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A Businessman's Guide To Biometric Systems

Living in a time where document fraud and identity theft are prevalent, access control manufacturers relentlessly developed different identification technologies. Through these innovations, organizations were able to identify and monitor the people that set foot on their premises more accurately. Furthermore, it also contributed to the increasing popularity of biometrics in the Philippines across businesses.

At the present time, there are three identification systems available in the market: the knowledge-based identification system, possession-based identification system, and biometric identification system. By reading this blog, you’ll be able to know these biometric machines and systems better.

  1. Knowledge-Based Identification System

This type of identification system is one of the most prevalent systems worldwide. A concrete example of this is the password access system you find in business computers and the PIN codes at ATMs. Although this system has the capacity to help improve your company’s security, IT professionals don’t recommend that you rely on it solely. This is because of the fact that knowledge such as passcodes and passwords can be parted to unauthorized individuals easily.

  1. Possession-Based Identification System

Aside from knowledge-based identification systems, there are also several businesses that make use of an access control system that’s possession-based. Basically, this type of system assigns a person’s identity to a specific object like an access card.

Without a doubt, possession-based identification is user-friendly and accepted by many. In fact, this system has the lowest employee resistance so far. Furthermore, all you have to do in order for it to function effectively is to put it near the reader. According to experts, the problems they have encountered with this system are just the possible security breach of stolen or lent access cards.

  1. Biometric Identification System

The word biometrics comes from the Greek words “bio” and “metria”—”Bio” means life while “metria” means measurement. With that in mind, it just shows that this technology identifies individuals through their unique biometric measurements.

As you can see, each human feature is unique for every individual. For this reason, biometric identification systems have been deemed by experts to be one of the most effective access control systems available.

Many companies nowadays make use of biometric machines to monitor and manage the people who can access certain areas and documents within their business premises. Over the past few decades, this technology has helped fend off external and internal security threats.

Delving into the Benefits of Biometric Identification Technologies

Without a doubt, biometric technologies immediately got the spotlight in this world where accurate personal identification systems are necessary. As mentioned earlier, the biometric identification method is by far the most accurate identification system at present. That’s why more and more companies install this technology as their access control system.

Ever since the introduction of the first biometric technology in the business world, innovators saw the potential of this technology. Because of that, they relentlessly improved this technology into what it is today.

Basically, biometric access control systems make use of biometric samples to identify people. Here’s a list of the samples used at the present time:

  • Fingerprint
  • Iris
  • Retina
  • Face (2D or 3D)
  • Hand geometry
  • Face Heat Map
  • Vein patterns (hand veins or finger veins)
  • Voice

The Edge of Using Biometric Technology in Your Business

Evidently, there are a lot of reasons why numerous business owners prefer the utilization of biometric technology in their business sites—accurate identification of individuals is just one of the many.

To give you an overview of the edge of using biometric technology, here are some of the advantages you get when you install a biometric identification system in your business:

  1. Boost of Business Efficiency

One of the benefits that businessmen reap when they make use of biometrics is the increased business efficiency it gives. As a matter of fact, many companies that installed biometric identification technology in their buildings were able to enjoy increased efficiency in terms of time and money. Furthermore, they were also able to keep their business’ productivity flowing while keeping their businesses secure. For this reason, more and more organizations turn to IT professionals from managed IT service providers for the incorporation of biometrics technology in their commercial security.

  1. Increased Convenience and Versatility

Another advantage of using biometric technology in your business is the convenience it gives to both users and security managers. Unlike passwords, badges, and identification cards, biometric identification systems enable its users to eliminate the worry of resetting passwords and changing badges or ID cards. With that said, it is undeniable that this technology allows organizations to manage their systems better.

Other than that, this security system is also well-known in the business world because of the wide range of biometric scanners available in the market. According to experts from managed service providers, this technology is versatile. Hence, it can be used differently depending on the organization’s needs.

  1. Scalability of Access Control System

While it’s important to fulfill your business’ current needs, it’s also vital to keep your business open for future growth. For this reason, many IT professionals from reputed IT solution companies recommend businessmen to make use of biometric technology. With a biometric access control system in place, you’ll be able to enjoy a reliable identification system that has the ability to grow alongside your business.

  1. Improved Profitability

When you take a look at the organizations that utilized biometric access control systems, you will see that this technology enabled them to improve their profitability. In fact, experts from reputed managed IT services in the Philippines will be able to attest that the return on investment that this technology gives is really high. That said, it is evident that the technology’s accurate identification of individuals and increased business efficiency truly contributed a lot in this matter.

  1. Better Physical and Information Security

Because of the fact that an individual’s biometric sample can’t be guessed or stolen, the biometric identification method has been deemed by experts as a reliable security system.  Over the past few years that business organizations made the most of this technology, it has proven itself to provide users a long-term security solution. With that in mind, it’s undeniable that biometric identification technology has the power to enhance a business’ safety and security.

  1. Ensured Accountability

Apart from the ones mentioned above, biometric access control systems also enable organizations to ensure the accountability of their staff. Evidently, biometric log-ins give the system the ability to connect a specific person directly to a particular event or action. With that said, it is clear that biometric identification systems have the ability to create a more transparent and definable audit trail for business transactions. Hence, eliminating the chances of people snooping around your building without your knowledge.

Terms You Should Familiarize When You’re Working with Biometrics

Now that you’re aware of the benefits of using biometrics technology, it’s time for you to learn the terms that you should familiarize when working with this innovation. By doing this, you’ll be able to understand the technology better and maximize it more effectively.

To discuss further, here are some of the commonly used terms by access control system installers:

  • False Acceptance Rate (FAR)

The false acceptance rate is the percentage that experts use to recognize how often a system acknowledges an unauthorized person as an authorized one.

  • False Rejection Rate (FRR)

In contrast to the false acceptance rates, false rejection rates present the percentage of how often access control systems reject authorized personnel’s access.

  • Failure to Enroll (FTE)

This enables IT personnel to determine the number of staff that may not be enrolled in the system. In other words, the FTE percentage helps these experts track the number of people that are unable to use the system.

  • Risk of Spoof

The risk of spoofing gives IT security personnel the power to see how easily the access control system can be circumvented using other methods.

  • Live Sample Detection

The live sample detection shows users whether the organization’s system can distinguish a living end-user from a robot or other spoofing attempts.

  • User Acceptance

This term refers to the end user's general acceptance of the technology you’re using. Furthermore, this also shows the advantages, misconceptions, and fears that influenced these users’ acceptance.

  • Contact Requirement

This pertains to the duration that the users have to maintain physical contact with the device to initiate the identification effectively.
 

As reflected in the points made above, biometric identification technology truly is an ideal option for your business’ access control system. That is why a lot of reputable IT companies in the Philippines like House of I.T recommend the installation of this technology. With the expertise of the IT service provider personnel, you’ll be able to get the peace of mind that the access control system installed in your business site is perfect for your business needs. Furthermore, it also allows you to cut costs up to 40% and simplify the work necessary.