Infant mortality rate in India (48/1000) is almost three times that of China and Brazil. Despite the almost eight percent growth rate in the Indian economy, the state run health care sector in India is in shambles, showing high infant and maternity mortality rates. The health care sector remains chronically understaffed and the problem of understaffing is made worse by rampant indiscipline among those in the medical fraternity.

Absenteeism is rampant in the state run hospitals, with some doctors not reporting for days on a stretch. However these truant doctors are able to collect their full salary as the attendance registers are often fudged with the connivance of those entrusted with time keeping. The situation, in government hospitals, is so bad that a ward boy was found to be performing surgery in one of the state run hospitals, recently.

The security in these state run hospitals is also cause for concern. There are no entry restrictions. Security is so bad that anybody can enter the hospitals premises and do as they wish. Without any access control solutions there is no accountability. Instances of child theft are at an all time high thanks to this laissez faire state.

Realizing that absenteeism had become a big liability for the government, the West Bengal health department decided to usher biometric time clocks in a phased manner. Expecting serious opposition from the Group D staff, the health department has decided that only Group A staff would be covered under the new attendance system using access control solutions biometric time clocks. Employee time clock software prepares a time log every time the user logs in and logs out. Employee time clock software is used for payroll accounting, workforce management and computing salaries at the end of the month.

Access control solutions are becoming the weapon of choice for the health departments across the length and breadth of India, as India wages a war against chronic absenteeism in government hospitals. The results are encouraging so far. The Group A officers have accepted the state governments diktat after some initial grumbling. However, the group D staff has yet to acquiesce to this system.

Why Biometrics?
Biometrics is the most reliable method for time keeping. This is because all attendance related transactions are validated with the help of biometric data like fingerprints, voice, color of the iris, gait and so on. Each transaction is recorded in a digital format and the transaction log is preserved for end of the month pay roll accounting.

The power of Biometric technology can be harnessed to make hospitals safe. Biometric Fingerprint door locks can be installed at vantage points for controlling entry. Only those related to the family can be given access. Fingerprint door locks can be installed at pharmacy store and maternity wards where most of the thefts take place.

Desktops are passé, mobile devices are in. Mobile technology is advancing at such a breathtaking and fascinating pace that it has become increasingly difficult to keep track of what is new and what is old. In the not so distant future, it is not inconceivable to imagine mobile devices, like the iPad and the iPhone, taking over the role of desktops in an office setting.

As businesses move towards a cloud based business model, security will become paramount for survival in this business. Unfortunately, the existing archaic access control systems based on a system of passwords, will be blown to bits by a hacker who knows his game. If you think that cloud based platforms are safe, think again. Recently, Wired correspondent, Mat Honan, had his cloud connected Mac, iPhone and iPad hacked. If this can happen to a Wired correspondent, think what can happen to you. However, with stronger Biometric Security Systems, this type of hacking would not be possible.

We all know that M-Commerce or mobile commerce is going to be the next big thing. Banks, financial institutions, online trading companies are already hawking their wares online. However, when it comes to security, M-Commerce is still a long way from being reliable. The good news for consumers, having high hopes of M-commerce, is that the next generation of smart phones will be way smarter with inbuilt biometric access control software. This software will have a device to record your biometric data. This data will then be digitized with the help of powerful biometric access control software and sent to the cloud where it will be matched with recorded data. If there is a match, the user will be able to log in and complete the transaction as he wishes. This type of application will support cash transactions too. Right now, customers have to login with the use of passwords which is fraught with a lot of risk. Once smart phones are biometrically enabled, access to cash will become smoother, risk free and convenient.

Biometric security systems can be tailored to the requirement of any industry. This type of technology is almost here and it is believed that the next generation of Apple products will have inbuilt biometric readers.

Why Biometrics?
Biometric Access Control technology uses certain identifiable characteristics like fingerprints, retina, veins, voice, keystroke, and gait for validating the verification process. These characteristics are unique to every individual and cannot be replicated. Biometric data is collected during enrollment and stored in a secured database. Verification is done by comparing the information in the database with live data collected thorough a scanner. Biometric access control systems are foolproof, reliable and built to operate in the most challenging conditions.

Biometric Access Control has found widespread acceptance in the industry. The advantages include round the clock surveillance, remote login, time keeping and payroll accounting.

The use of biometric security systems in law enforcement is not a breaking news event any more. However, from a sheer biometric perspective, it is not a bad development at all as people are more attuned to what is happening in biometric technology and have accepted that biometrics will be an integral part of their lives. This is a small victory for the biometrics industry. Kudos to all!

However, this does not mean that the biometric industry is incapable of throwing a surprise, from time to time, that makes us sit up and wonder: “Is this really possible?” This is exactly what happened recently. A leading provider of identity and protection products for soldiers and civilians released their new application on Google Play, the Android marketplace. The free trial app allows the user to perform biometric identification using their android devices. The app will support biometric enrolment like iris scan, finger scan, and facial scan. However, you will need a fingerprint scanner, iris scanner or facial scanner to collect the data. Once the data is collected it can be sent to the database to collect biometric information of the sample.

This is breaking news. Just imagine all the good that can be done with these simple but powerful biometric security systems. A policeman patrolling on the streets can record biometric information like iris scan, finger scan or facial scan and tap into the central database in seconds. Depending on the information showing up on the central database, he can take the decision to apprehend or release the suspect. This will be a huge improvement over the current police reporting system which is time consuming and clumsy. In the current system, the suspect is apprehended and taken to the police station where he has to wait for hours for the background verification to be completed. This procedure is time consuming, inefficient and is bad publicity for the police administration. No wonder people complain about police harassment all the time.

Fingerprint readers like the Digital Persona U Are U 4500 Fingerprint Reader can easily be integrated into this system to make police administration work less chaotic. This fingerprint scanner is not limited to just police work; it can be used indoors too in restaurant, hospitals, offices, schools and more. Fingerprint reader windows 7 devices can be used for drug dispensation, prescription fulfillment, time and attendance, law enforcement and banking applications. Digital Persona’s U Are U 4500 Fingerprint Reader soft blue glow blends with any type of environment and does not conflict with the soft lighting in restaurants and health care facilities. Because of its special under coating it stays put in one place. It has a powerful optical sensor that can read fingerprint data from any angle.

This app has huge potential in schools, public administration, hospitals and defense. Yes, it will throw up a few privacy issues, but that is expected when there is a new development in technology.

Growing up with superhero movies, you would probably be a fan of how Superman’s X-Ray vision could help spot the baddie. However, while this was entertaining for the movies, in real life, our superheroes are the cops. In England, the Metropolitan Police, better known as the Scotland Yard, are provided with the pocket finger scanner to ease their jobs.

Equipped with a finger scanner similar to Secugen Hamster Plus, these devices are great to scan the fingerprints of the suspects anywhere, anytime and check their records using the internet-connected handheld gadgets. This tool is of great help to the local cops of London who need to deal with the petty criminals as well as fraudulent people on a daily basis.

In league with the top biometric devices like the Lumidigm Sensor and Secugen Hamster Plus, this mobile pocket tool identifies the fingerprints from the official police database IDENT1, in less than two minutes. This is a lot faster and convenient than the earlier manual process, which would take hours along with detaining the suspect. Besides saving time and energy of the cops, it is convenient even for the public as they are not faultily accused. Since biometric security is almost foolproof, the hidden or false identity of the criminals may also be discovered quickly.

This mobile biometric security device is equipped with a finger scanner similar to Lumidigm Sensor wherein it takes into consideration various points in the print and calculates algorithms to give accurate results. These have proven to be one of the finest biometric security devices for enabling our real life superheroes, the police.

The false acceptance rate, or FAR, is the measure of the likelihood that the biometric security system will incorrectly accept an access attempt by an unauthorized user. A system’s FAR typically is stated as the ratio of the number of false acceptances divided by the number of identification attempts. (Webopedia)

The false rejection rate, or FRR, is the measure of the likelihood that the biometric security system will incorrectly reject an access attempt by an authorized user. A system’s FRR typically is stated as the ratio of the number of false rejections divided by the number of identification attempts. (Webopedia)

These days there is a lot of emphasize on FAR (False Acceptance Rate). It is good that clients are getting aware of these terms and asking the right questions before implementing a solution.

However, FAR only provides half the information. When selecting a biometric solution, we need to find out what the False Rejection Rate (FRR) is at the said FAR.

So when a biometric solution provider claims to have a very low FAR, it is very important to find out what is the FRR at this ‘low’ FAR. Then depending upon the application one needs to evaluate whether the FAR & FRR ratio is acceptable for the application.

In a practical scenario a low FAR & a high FRR would ensure that any unauthorized person will not be allowed access. It would also mean that the authorized people will have to put their finger on the device several times before they are allowed access.

Therefore, it is good to have a very low FAR, but please remember that if this low FAR is coming at the cost of high FAR then the solution needs to be re-evaluated.

Five years ago, if someone told you that a computer would enable you to shop, order food, work and talk while on the way to home from office, you would have probably not believed him. Today, when you look at tablet PCs like iPads, you find these features are the norm.

These small, handy devices are making our life increasingly convenient by the day, especially because they help you manage your professional and personal life better. But since they do so much, it is important that you protect them, too. While you may use protective covers and screen guards for its body, how do you ensure data safety? Until now, most people have used virus scanners and applications that provide customized locks, but these are not foolproof. The solution is to use biometric security systems for your tablet PCs.

These systems apply the technology used in popular biometric devices like the Suprema Biomini USB fingerprint scanner and Lumidigm Sensor, which are known for their accuracy and sharpness in identifying fingerprints.

There are two ways in which you can use these biometric security systems:

External Scanners

The first one is external, wherein you use fingerprint scanners like the Lumidigm Mercury 301 or the Lumidigm Sensor. These need to be attached to your tablet via a USB port. Your device would only unlock when an authorized fingerprint is provided to it.

This means that you may leave your tablet unattended at meetings or in office or even while having guests at home, and no one would be able to access your data!

Internal Security

This is more popular than the former as it is more convenient and helps keep your tablet secure even while on the move. Here, the tablet itself has internal applications that work on biometrics. The system is similar to that of the Suprema Biomini USB fingerprint scanner and Lumidigm Mercury 301, wherein the camera of the tablet helps scan your fingerprint and authorizes it.

The best part about using internal or external fingerprint scanners for your tablet is that it limits the access, thus also averting the risk of theft. You may also install a tracker along with the scanner for enhanced safety.

Over the years, it has been proved that biometric security systems are ideal for most facilities that require high levels of protection. If yours is one amongst them, then it is likely that you use USB fingerprint scanning devices like the Nitgen Fingkey Hamster, which is one of the finest and most efficient products available in the market.

The Nitgen Fingkey Hamster, like most fingerprint scanners works on a system that calculates the fingerprint algorithms to identify and authenticate a person. So what are these algorithms? In simple words, they are points in the fingerprint of a person that are stored in the USB fingerprint scanners in a mathematical series.

The algorithm of the fingerprint SDK is known as recognition and is divided into three parts:

• The matching algorithm is used to find out matches comparing two templates provided by the extraction algorithm. It specifically compares the position of each point and structure.
• The extraction algorithm creates a series of processes, which are used to provide different characteristics of a particular fingerprint. This is then used for matching. It also provides the core, delta and the number of ridges of the print along with other supplementary information.
• The final one of the classification algorithm helps put each of the above sequences into a specific mode, i.e. the software recognizes a series and the classification helps it locate its match or extract the sequence.

These algorithms are ideal to differentiate fingerprints as they can be found and created in multiple ways. And since it is only a mathematical process, the scope of errors in the USB fingerprint scanner is highly reduced. These sequences enable easy and fast recognition, accurate ratio and of course, excellent identification capability.

Nitgen is known to be one of the topmost brands for providing fingerprint reading devices as most of their products are based on these algorithms. Install them in your facility and enhance your existing biometric security systems.

You enter the office, after a long vacation with your family, and your assistant leaves a message that your boss has asked for an urgent presentation. You immediately get to work and start your computer. Alas, you cannot recall the password to connect to your work network. After wasting a lot of time digging out that tiny slip of paper, which has the necessary information, can you go ahead and work. If you had biometric systems installed in your facility, you would not have to remember a host of different passwords.

Fingerprint readers allow your mind to be free by letting your fingers do all the work. This means that you and all the other employees only need individual fingers to view and edit work related files. The Nitgen Fingkey Hamster I and Nitgen Fingkey Hamster II ensure that only authorized people can access the personal computers as well as the network.

Plus, your office computers would have sensitive and crucial information like quotes for vendors, private information of clients and feedback from your senior. If this falls in the wrong hand, you risk losing your job, and may be held responsible for damages to the company. Fingerprint recognition devices like the Nitgen Fingkey Hamster I and II act as security measure for your work computers and laptops by restricting the access to their networks.

Biometric systems are also ideal when dealing with inter department or with different branches of your organization. Devices like Nitgen Fingkey Hamster II not only protect your internal information, but also help avoid confusion in exchanging files. It also ensures that the information flows with ease to the right people and department.

Biometric systems have a range of applications in the security and maintenance sector. Be it restricting access control at offices or keeping a record of people for attendance. Additionally, these systems are also used for cashless sales. One of places wherein the fingerprint scanners are absolutely vital is the educational institutions.

In the last few years schools and colleges have extensively used the fingerprint based biometric systems for keeping a record of students. Fingerprint reader like the Crossmatch Verifier 300 are increasingly been used in educational institutions for checking the identity of the students, recording attendance, issuing library books and other such applications. Fingerprint scanner such as Crossmatch Verifier 300 has been proven ideal in a school cafeteria setting for a cash free sales transaction wherein students can buy lunches and other items, without having to pay cash. Their fingerprints are directly connected to their account in school, maintained by their parents.

In a school setting, fingerprint scanners provide more than just basic convenience, they are essential for safety too. In fact, with crimes against children rising this has now become a must-have for almost all educational institutes. Fingerprint based biometric security systems help get background checks on temporary and permanent employees as well as volunteers that work with the schools. Additionally, the Crossmatch Verifier 300 is enabled with USB connectivity; hence, all of these records can be stored on the central computer of the institute and accessed at anytime.

Having these devices installed on your campus will only reflect your utmost concern for student safety as well as create goodwill for your institution.

Not so long ago, people were identified on the bases of their signatures and photographs. For an illiterate person, who could not even write his own name, the conventional method used was taking down fingerprints with the help of an ink pad. This was simply because fingerprints are the best way to distinguish one person from another.

Giving a technological twist to the same concept, biometric security systems use devices like Futronic FS88 fingerprint scanners to identify people. Unlike fingerprints, signatures and photographs may be easily forged and manipulated. Additionally, prints on paper may be easily lost, destroyed or get deteriorated with time. Hence, devices like Futronic FS80 and Futronic FS88 are the best bet for identification purposes today.

Such devices are proving popular the world over. Recently, the Indian government introduced a new citizen identification concept based on biometric security systems. All citizens are required to provide fingerprints along with address proof and photographs to create a Unique Identification Card. Much like American social security numbers, these cards will be used for just about any process that requires identification proof, be it availing of loans, getting electricity connections, opening bank accounts and even keeping criminal or credit records.

The fingerprint scanners used in the process trace minute details of fingerprints, leaving little scope for confusion or identity theft. Hence, it may be safely said that biometric systems are undoubtedly the most advanced and foolproof modes of individual identification today.