The new generation of intelligent devices in biometrics for access control improves building security, internal communications and employee management, at a significantly lower total cost of ownership than previous biometric systems for physical access control. Whether it is used to access a building, the security of restricted locations within, or for time and attendance management, biometric authentication technology has come a long way. Just a few years ago, the debate around biometrics focused on whether biometrics was accurate and could handle large populations, among many other operational issues. Today, these arguments are closed: it now focuses on improving the value associated with accurate and secure biometric authentication.
Today, biometric security devices do much more than authentication: they also provide the right level of security, in the exact locations required, and are able to dynamically adjust the level of authentication required for changing threat levels. These capabilities only increase in importance as modern physical access control systems also begin to converge with other building management and communication devices. To better manage employees, visitors, and contractors, and to protect important areas (executive floors, data centers, and research labs), more companies are implementing physical security systems, video surveillance cameras, and time and attendance systems.