Face the Future

Biometric access control systems will have greater advatages in years to come

  • By Jon Ecker
  • Jan 23, 2007

BIOMETRIC authentication has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 14th century China where merchants would stamp children's hand and footprints on paper to distinguish them. After seven centuries, though, unique physiological and behavioral characteristics are still used as means of identification.

Technology today is capable of identifying people with the scan and recognition of unique prints, including retinas, fingers and hands.

Technology today is capable of identifying people with the scan and recognition of unique prints, including retinas, fingers and hands. In addition, biometrics is integrated with access control systems, which require a card or code to match the scan of a person's features and characteristics.

Biometric authentication systems are currently available in three options: a basic scan of unique features; two-factor authentication mode or a system designed based on biometrics in conjunction with key cards; and a biometric technology system integrated with an access control system.

The most frequently used of the three systems, feature recognition, scans a unique characteristic, such as fingerprints, and then matches the scanned feature with data on file. Once matched, the system allows or denies access. Frequently recommended by security experts, the two-factor authentication process, which features biometric technology used in conjunction with an access control system, doubles the security factor by making it necessary for a person to have the correct match of a key card and/or code and a biometric print scan.

Integrating Identity
When integrated, biometric authentication and access control systems use smart card technology to permit access. Smart cards, which are similar to key cards, are programmed with the cardholder's biometric information. With a swipe, the reader scans the card and searches a database for a match of the information.

The only drawback to the access system may be that the most accurate form of technology also is the most expensive. A typical card access system integrated with cameras, DVRs and monitors, which is the most universal method of securing a building, is available for hundreds of dollars compared to a basic biometric authentication system, which in return costs thousands of dollars.

Due to the high cost of the technology, installation and maintenance, biometric authentication security systems are generally found in luxury multi-family properties or in buildings that house prominent corporations, such as the building where American Express is located in downtown Manhattan, which uses an integrated system.

Looking Ahead
It is anticipated that new systems, available several years from now, will be found in every venue and replace passwords, PINs and codes. Biometric technology secures commercial and residential buildings and allows access to personal banking records, ATM and desktop computers.

As the technology becomes more mainstream and widely used, future systems will become cost effective for all business and property owners and will have the ability to retain more data than current biometric authentication readers. Future readers will retain two credentials for each user, such as the print of an index finger and a thumb. Currently, one fingerprint requires the use of more data than needed for the retention of key card information, which inflates cost and yields fewer choices in technology.

Future systems also will be less prone to misreading data that comes from a cut or a bandaged finger, which naturally interrupts the data read. Current systems most commonly use data recorded from a person's fingerprints, facial features or iris scans. However, technology that reads hand geometry, voice recognition, retinal scanning and signature verification, while not as common, also is available. New systems will be capable of scanning and recognizing individual characteristics not generally subject to alterations, including a person's gait and scent. By simply walking through a doorway, the technology will know to permit access or notify authorities.

Looking forward, biometric authentication systems represent the height of security technology, while signifying the answer to lost key cards and the sharing of passwords, PINs or security codes. With new and cutting-edge developments constantly emerging, users are a short time away from current systems being as archaic as the fingerprint itself.

This article originally appeared in the January 2007 issue of Security Products, pg. 20.

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