FAQs before selecting any Biometric devices

Now-a-days Biometric Attendance Systems has removed every other conventional methods of attendance management. Almost in every office, corporate, buildings and premises, biometric systems are installed for security purposes and attendance management. Biometric systems are growing rapidly only because they are considered more secure than conventional security systems. After all, biometrics technology uses intrinsic human characteristics such as fingerprints, facial characteristics, iris or retinas and many others; and it is more difficult to steal or duplicate a fingerprint than it is to do the same with a key or a password.

But before implementing any biometric system, we have to clarify certain query. So, here are some frequently asked questions:-

1. Can fingerprints be stolen or copied from biometric database?

Absolutely NOT. Fingerprint templates are stored in the database. Only a tiny subset of the characteristics of the fingerprint is extracted and stored in the template when the finger is scanned. The templates stored in the database hold enough information to verify the finger presented is yours when your finger is scanned in the future but the entire image of the fingerprint is not stored so there is no way to copy or steal fingerprints from the database.

2. Can Biometric Systems be fooled with replica fingerprints?

No, because fingerprints are never exactly the same due to human factors. The fingerprints will be similar enough to identify individuals when scanned but if an exact replica of a previously scanned fingerprint is scanned again, the biometric system will know it and deny access.

3. What is the enrollment capacity of biometric systems?

When authorized users are enlisted in the database, they are said to be enrolled. So depending on the system capacity, the number of enrollments can be done. It can be from 1000-25000 finger templates. And also 5 Lac transaction can be stored.

4. How quickly can a fingerprint be identified by a biometric system?

The acceptance and rejection rate of fingerprints depend on many factors. The speed of the processing power of the machine and other factor is the number of fingerprint template stored in the database. On an average identification varies from 1 Sec to 3 seconds.

5. Will wet finger affect fingerprint scanner?

Generally no, but one is advised to use dry finger fir faster acceptance. The fingerprint sensor used in the devices is basically scratching less and identifies the finger with maximum accuracy.

6. Will it work after a power failure?

Yes, definitely, because devices have battery back-up of around 48 hours. Also few devices have some lower back-up. But overall, biometric devices are the perfect choice for attendance system.

7. How long the data can be stored in the device without connectivity to the server?

Depending on the capacity of the memory. Though more than 5 lacs transactions can be stored in the single device.

8. Are these devices capable of real time data processing?

Yes, obviously, because devices feature data push technology, which sends the data as soon as it is fed with it. This real time data processing makes systems more fast, accurate and reliable.

9. What are the connectivity modes?

The Biometric devices are incorporated with advanced and recent technologies. So these devices can be connected to the server through WI-Fi, GPRS and LAN depending on the location and connectivity source.

So you can see biometric technology is quite advanced. The systems are already quite accurate and difficult to fool. And as with most emerging technologies, biometric systems are advancing at a rapid rate so get used to them. It may not be long until you have a biometric security system installed in your office.