Loading ...The Rise Of Biometric Access Control Systems
Over 60% of businesses have encountered physical security breaches in the last 5 years, leading many organizations to pursue new technologies designed to better-address threats.
Cloud-based biometric access control is carving out a safer and more secure future for stakeholders. Will biometric access control systems dominate the security sphere in the future?
What Is Biometric Access Control?
Biometric access control replaces the need for physical tokens like cards and keys with custom biometric credentials. A credential type that’s much more secure and harder to fabricate.
The adoption of biometric authentication technologies is rapidly growing across the US, raising from 27% in 2019 to almost 80% in 2022. Similarly, Middle Eastern companies are beginning to explore biometrics, with the market expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.1% in the coming years.
Common types of biometrics include:
- Fingerprint recognition
- Facial recognition
- Retina scanning
Biometric access control ensures thorough security supported by cloud-based technology. An advancement that almost 70% of Middle Eastern companies plan to adopt in the next 2 years.
This has led many leaders to weigh up the pros and cons of on-premises vs cloud technologies.
On-premises systems are cyber-secure as they’re not connected to the internet. A major benefit considering the rising commonality of cyber-attacks in the Middle East and the US. However, managing on-premises tools can be inconvenient due to a lack of remote-access functionality.
In a cloud-based system, admins can access security data and operate physical devices from anywhere using remote-access controls. However, the risk of cybersecurity breaches is higher.
Why Is Biometric Access Technology So Popular?
Benefits associated with cloud-based biometric access systems include:
- Secure credentials: Unlike physical tokens, biometric credentials cannot be lost or stolen, reducing the risk of fraudulent use and removing the cost of token replacements.
- Agile management: Using cloud services, admins can view security data and control security devices remotely at any time, enabling live monitoring and threat responses.
- Easy onboarding: New staff can be issued secure credentials efficiently, with no need to create and configure physical tokens.
- Simple adjustments: Permissions can be adjusted and revoked from anywhere and at any time using cloud-based controls, ensuring a fluid approach to commercial security.
Biometric Access Control Vs. Mobile Access Control
Mobile access control provides similar benefits to biometrics in that both are cloud-based and can be adjusted remotely. The main difference is the delivery method for credential data.
Instead of using biometrics to control access, mobile systems use data stored on users’ phones.
Pros and cons for mobile systems include:
- Remote onboarding: Users can download credentials straight to their phones remotely.
- Frictionless access: Touchless and keyless entry is provided via data sent between phones and access readers, producing a convenient and hygienic access method.
- Credential loss: If a user loses their mobile device they lose access to their credentials, meaning they’ll be locked out until a replacement device can be obtained.
- Credential misuse: Mobile devices can be stolen and used fraudulently. However, there are protections available like in-device password locks that can mitigate this risk.
The Future Of Security Technology
AI Surveillance
When combined with AI tools, biometric technology can be used to enhance the operation of traditional surveillance systems. Business security cameras equipped with AI analytics can be used to automatically detect the presence of known and unknown persons via biometric scans.
Admins can program systems to continuously monitor target areas for the presence of unknown individuals. Cameras can use morphological biometrics and behavioral biometrics to differentiate between authorized and unknown individuals. Admins can then be notified remotely of suspicious activities.
Many business leaders are already exploring the benefit of AI systems, especially in the Middle East and Africa, where almost 50% currently utilize AI tools.
Alarm Systems
Integrations between biometric tools and alarms systems may also be pursued to improve threat detection capabilities on-site. For example, if biometric cameras detect the presence of unknown persons, on-site alarms can be instructed to sound and warn staff of potential threats.
Similarly, distinct alarms can be programmed to sound in response to failed biometric access attempts. Enabling on-site staff to respond promptly and appropriately to unique security events.
Summary
Cloud-based and biometric technologies are laying a foundation for enhanced security in commercial environments. Choosing to use biometric access and surveillance systems provides businesses multiple benefits, including simplified management and improved responses. Given the rise in adoption of AI, cloud and biometric technologies, these tools are expected to become more advanced in the near future.
Please note that this post was written by a freelance journalist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arab America or its employees. These posts help allow Arab America to produce our wonderful original content, thanks for your understanding.
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