Fingerprint readers, or scanners, are the most popular and most common form of biometric security devices used. Biometric fingerprint reader consists of an automated method of recognizing a person based on unique physical characteristic which is his fingerprint. Each type of biometric fingerprint reader system is different in application and consists of at least one similarity. Here the biometric is based upon a distinguishable human attribute which is a person’s fingerprint. Although there are biometric systems based on iris, facial pattern and even voice pattern.
Today fingerprint reader devices are by far the most popular form of biometric security used. There are a variety of systems available in the market which is intended for general and mass market usage. Huge bulky fingerprint scanners are a thing of the past. USB Fingerprint readers are now replacing them gradually. Now a fingerprint scanning device can be small enough to be incorporated into a laptop for security.
Fingerprint scanning essentially provides an identification of a person based on the acquisition and recognition of those unique patterns and ridges in a fingerprint. The biometric fingerprint reader’s identification process will change slightly between products and systems. The basis of identification is usually nearly the same. Standard systems are comprised of a sensor for scanning a fingerprint and a processor which stores the fingerprint database and software which compares and matches the fingerprint to the predefined database. Within the database, a fingerprint is usually matched to a reference number, or PIN number which is then matched to a person’s name or account.
In large corporations especially banks, biometrics plays a huge role in employee identification and security. Many data centers have jumped on the bandwagon and have implemented biometric fingerprint readers to enhance remote access and management by adding another layer of network security for system administrators.Biometric fingerprint scanner like the USB fingerprint readers which are extremely mobile and compact are also being used increasingly to track attendance and work hours for employees. Banks also involve a huge amount of data and a large number of footfalls. Here data security is of the highest priority because financial data is of key importance along with securing the transaction records and its accessibility to authorized personnel or customer. Biometric fingerprint reader systems are increasingly becoming the most reliable and the most secure security systems for banks. Today companies have realized that fingerprint scanning is an effective means of security.
