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Biometrics: Knowing “WHO” Matters

Biometric technologies increase security, reduce risk and make us safer because knowing “who” matters if you are really serious about safety and security.

Commonly thought to be new technology, biometrics was used as early as 30,000 years ago, when authors of paintings on cave walls left their signature handprints to identify themselves.  In 1891  fingerprints of criminals in Argentina were collected and are thought to be t he earliest cataloging of fingerprints.   The common thread from 30,000 years ago to today is that it matters who I am. With today’s large and growing population, our relationships and transactions are no longer limited to the people in our village as in ancient times.  And as terrific as our brain is, we cannot always remember names and faces.

The objective of an access control system is to manage where authorized people are granted access.   Using your typical access control card access system, entry is granted if the card or credential as presented has the right number.   Any person can be holding the card as the system does not care.    Card manufacturers’ solution to this issue of inability to authenticate the identity of the user has been to produce new cards with more options that are more expensive but do not and cannot authenticate the identity of the holder of the card.

Management is still dependent upon the honesty and integrity of the person that holds the card.  More bells and whistles for this credential are not a cure. Is the future of the security systems integrator going to be as a vendor that sells and installs sub quality systems, i.e. card reader systems, that will not and cannot authenticate the “who” of the card holder.
For more information about how biometrics can save you money, and increase safety and security, contact us.