Biometric access control solutions have, traditionally, been used to increase security levels by creating a layer of verification. For example, instead of someone using an RFID card to identify themselves, they present their fingerprint to prove that they are who they claim to be.

With fingerprint access control, a fingerprint scanner is used to create a template for each person’s fingerprint that is authorised for machine access. For operating a machine they present their finger at the fingerprint reader, which compares it with the stored template in the database.

A biometric system works with the obtained biometric data of a person, from which a special algorithm selects characteristics to create a biometric template. The system can then verify the identity of the person in reference to the biometric database.

Biometric identification uses biometrics, such as fingerprints or facial scans, to identify a person, whereas biometric authentication is the use of biometrics to verify people are who they claim to be. Authentication is the consequence following the identification of a person for machine usage.

Biometrics is the measurement and analysis of people’s unique physical and behavioral characteristics. In access control, biometric technology is mainly used to increase security levels by ensuring identified persons are actually the ones they claim to be.

While no identification and authentication method can technically be 100% safe, biometrics are by far more secure than other authentication methods. A unique physical identification of a person’s characteristic is extremely hard to copy, fake or misuse.

While many benefits come along with usage of biometric access control technology, the prevailing advantage is the incomparably high level of security to ensure reliable identification and authentication. Unlike proximity cards or PIN numbers, a person’s biometric features cannot be transferred, meaning the approved user must be physically present at the point of identification in order to gain access.

Since no technology is 100% secure, biometrics theoretically could be hacked as any other means of authentication. However, biometrics are by far more secure than other forms of identification. This is because it is much harder to copy, fake or misuse a fingerprint or facial features than to guess a password or PIN.

The major concern in relation to biometrics is privacy. Biometrics is a characteristic of an individual. Therefore if an unauthorized person gets access to anyones biometrics, it causes a direct impact into that persons privacy.