Fingerprint access control

Written by: Eric Fleming

Do you run a business or own a building that needs high-tech security? Are you in a situation in which standard locks and keys or generic swipe cards and keypads just won't do? You might be a good candidate for a fingerprint access control system. Read on to find out how such an access system works. You'll read about some of the key benefits to this type of biometric access control system, how much you can expect to pay compared to other readily available access control systems, and whether a fingerprint access control system is a good fit for your business.

How fingerprint access control systems work

In reality, the security aspect of a fingerprint access control system is much like any other access control system. Your workers must present something (whether it is a swipe card or code in standard systems, or a fingerprint in this case) to your system controller, which then logs and allows entrance to the secured area. What makes a fingerprint access control system is the technology needed to recognize the slight variations of the human fingerprint.

The key piece of equipment, and what makes a fingerprint access control system different from any other type of access control system, is the optical scanner. This scanner has two jobs: it has to take a "picture" of your fingerprint and determine whether or not it matches the fingerprint on file.

Optical or capacitance scanner?

There are two types of scanners used in fingerprint scanners: optical scanners or capacitance scanners. At its heart, an optical scanner is nearly identical to a digital camera or picture scanner. It has the same CCD (charge coupled device), which snaps a picture of your fingerprint when your finger is placed against the glass plate. The capacitance scanner, on the other hand, uses electrical current instead of light to come up with a picture of your fingerprint. It does this by comparing relative charges between the ridges and valleys of your fingers. In the end both optical and capacitance scanners result in a picture of your fingerprint. The main advantage to a capacitance scanner, however, is that it requires ridges and valleys, making it harder to fool. An optical scanner, on the other hand, can be fooled by a high-quality scan of a fingerprint, which would also include light and dark areas. Optical scanners are also a bit bulkier than capacitance scanners, making them poor candidates when space is a concern.

After the fingerprint is captured, it is then compared to the fingerprint on file. If they match, access is granted. Most fingerprint access control systems, however, need more than just the fingerprint. Most also require some token, like a swipe card or proximity fob, along with a password. Some systems can also be set up with a digital camera, which snaps a picture of the person requesting access. In this way, the fingerprint access control system becomes much harder, although not impossible, to defeat.

Many businesses can find a good use for fingerprint access control systems. Some examples would be businesses that keep their financial records, or employee personal information, in a locked room. Data servers and simply rooms full of expensive or fragile equipment are also good candidates for fingerprint access control systems. And while the cost of these systems has been prohibitive for many small businesses in the past, they're becoming more affordable as the technology matures and becomes more widespread.

In fact, the technology has become so mainstream that personal computer keyboards can now be purchased in the $100 range that include fingerprint scanners. Industrial fingerprint access control systems for single doors can be purchased for less than $1,000, with complete systems, fully customizable, available at additional cost. While the costs may appear steep, especially compared to standard door access systems, fingerprint scanners, with their high degree of reliability, extra security and other features, make them a good bet for the future, as well as a logical choice today.

There's one thing to keep in mind when researching and purchasing any type of access control system, but in particular one as advanced (and expensive) as a fingerprint access control system, and that is to be cautious and do your research. Don't just buy the first solution you find: take time to make a good buying decision. Start with free price quotes from multiple vendors and you'll be on your way to betting the right system for your business.