Post 9/11 hotel industries across the world are looking to newer technologies like Biometric access control systems to make their premises safer for their guest and to prevent its misuse by criminal elements. Once this system is implemented the hotel industry will be able to fulfill government guidelines that call for stricter identification procedures while checking in.
Booking a room used to be a simple procedure requiring little documents; the receptionist would match the guest’s name with that on the register and hand over the keys to the room. But, in the current scenario, characterized by identity and credit card frauds it is no longer safe to rely on such procedures. What is required is a dynamic and robust system that would weed out the criminal elements, making the hotel environment safe for the guests.
The Dilemma
Even though the hotel industry understands the lacunae in the archaic check in system currently in place, it faces a twin dilemma: How to improve security without offending the guests. Biometric security based on its low invasiveness offers a perfect solution to the hoteliering industry, improving security protocols without in any way offending the guests.
Joe Mortimer, an expert on hotel security, does not see any let up in the security breaches that continue to plague the hotel industry, requiring a significant ramp- up of security protocols with a focus on biometric based identification technology.
Joe Mortimer was referring to recent events in Dubai where a hotel served as a hub of a terrorist attack mounted on Palestinian leaders. According to unsubstantiated reports, terrorist had checked into the hotel using fake credentials and documents. The hotel manager said that had followed the standard protocol; taking a copy of their passport and a credit card swipe, before handing them the keys and wishing them a pleasant stay. The manager said that security clearance procedures followed by the hotel were at par, if not better, than those followed at international hotels.
However, the aftermath of the incident begets the question; whether visual identification is sufficient proof against cases of forgery, or, is there a case for implementing newer technology. According to experts, it’s high time the hotel industry upgrades its security systems in order to prevent misuse of its premises. The biometric technology will help hotels provide better security for its guests, improve productivity by making biometric attendance mandatory, and offer better customer experience to its guest by providing accessibility at the touch of a fingertip, utilizing fingerprint access control systems.
Nine Zero Hotel in Boston goes the Biometric way
The Nine Zero Hotel in Boston had implemented a state of the art biometric access control system in its Cloud Nine penthouse suite, making it one of the most secure rooms in the city. The penthouse suite is a popular choice for many celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock, who have stayed at the hotel’s uber-cool penthouse suite.
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