Biometric Access Control: Types of Access Control

Biometrics is not a recent technology. It has been prevalent since a very long time. However, its varied use started only recently. Few decades back, one could only imagine an electronic door open by the touch of a finger or by the look of a person before a camera. Scenes have changed completely now! Biometric access control is not merely limited to science fiction movies. It can be seen in corporate offices, highly sensitive Government offices, restaurants, and even schools and colleges. It can use a fingerprint device, face recognition access control system, or any other biometric technology.
Face recognition access control system is a comparatively advanced biometric access control. Most of the devices available in the market contain software for face recognition and a high resolution camera. The software is installed in the central server or the main PC. Camera is fixed at the entrance point. First-time users are required to enroll their identity. Enrolled individuals are granted access by the machine, whenever, they look before the camera. All the faces are scanned by the system. If the facial details match one of the templates, already present in the database, permission is granted. Or else, permission is denied!
Basic functioning of the machine is as stated above. However, the structure and functions of a biometric access control may vary with the instrument. Access Control may be classified into the following types:
*Non-intelligent Access Control: This is simplest type of face recognition access control system. Control panel is a must in this device. Facial details are transferred to the control panel and output an ID number. This device is mostly based on Wiegand protocol. It is widely used.
* Semi-intelligent Access Control: In this type of a device, readers do not make any decisions pertaining to access. However, they have all inputs and outputs related to door hardware. The user details are sent to the main controller and the response is obtained from there. Such readers may stop functioning or work in a degraded mode if connection to the main controller is interrupted.
*Intelligent Access Control: This biometric access control can make access decisions independently. Control panel sends configuration updates and retrieves events from the machine. Some of readers may also not have a control panel and readers communicate directly to the PC. The intelligent readers are also known as IP readers.
These are the various types of biometric access control available in the market. Apart from this classification, this system can also be classified on the basis of the type of identification. The techniques by which identification is done can also be classified separately. In this era, life is getting easier, for sure! Making life more secured, however, is equally important. Biometric access control helps in achieving this goal. All of the above types are a means to ensure that life is more secured. This application helps in restricting the entrance of undesired elements. Only selected individuals can enter the premises. Any of the types of access control mentioned above may serve the purpose.