Biometric Access Control in Education

This post will show how biometric access control systems and fingerprint readers and scanners can be extremely beneficial in many educational settings.  A major priority for high Schools, colleges, and universities around the globe, is trying to keep teachers, students, and guests safe and secure.  While security is a top priority, the schools would like to disrupt the daily activities of its members as little as possible.  Technology is making our lives easier and easier every day; Schools have been using technological breakthroughs for many years to increase security and accessibility. Campus security systems have evolved simultaneously with technology, and we do not expect the evolution to stop any time soon.  Campus ID Cards are a necessity and a given, in this day and age.  Campus IDs are usually linked to the student/staff member’s meal plan and can be used for many different applications.  The ID cards are used for laundry services, textbook buying, library borrowing, meal plans, vending machines, and as security access to many different zones, buildings, and rooms.

Biometrics is becoming more and more used in the education field as a form of access control and identification.  Many laws are being passed to regulate and force educators to take fingerprints of their employees too.  In order to stay on track with technological advancements, schools are using different forms of biometrics (fingerprint, vein, facial, etc.) to increase security.

There are many benefits of biometrics.  Students do not need to remember to carry a card or remember a password. This is extremely beneficial for college students who are constantly juggling tons of things.  Every student would rather not have to remember something, and have one less thing to worry about.  Also, biometrics cannot be “gamed” nearly as easily as more traditional ID cards.   A password or PIN can easily be told to someone, or a threatening individual can creep up behind someone who is entering a PIN and see what PIN they enter.  An ID card is necessary in order to access many different areas throughout a campus.  The gymnasium is a great example of an area where an ID card is needed in order to gain entry.  The problem is that nobody is efficiently monitoring the people who are entering, and an ID card can easily be given to a friend, or even stolen.  Libraries are another reason why schools should start incorporating biometrics.  A schools library is supposed to be for authorized staff and students only – not for public use.  But for an outsider wishing to gain access, all it takes is having a friend who is authorized to lend you their ID card.  These types of instances are rampant throughout universities, and most students will consider these actions to be normal, fine, and accepted.  The colleges themselves on the other hand do not agree with this and need to step up to the task of ensuring that it is much more difficult to keep unauthorized people out of desired areas.

Keeping these unwanted unauthorized people from accessing the areas which are designated only to certain people is where biometrics comes into play.  Biometrics use physical traits (such as fingerprint, vein, facial, retina, etc.) to identify a person, rather than a something a person knows or carriers.  This is what makes it more secure.  Biometrics are not replacing ID cards, rather they are a compliment to them.  Schools can require using biometrics solo, biometrics with an ID cards, or with ID cards and passwords.

With biometrics, students and staff don’t need to have an ID on them in order to get into every building and room.  They could hypothetically gain entry to the gymnasium by scanner the fingerprint reader.  Having the option to require a biometric form of ID is beneficial during times in which campuses choose to heighten security for whatever reason.  Biometric access control devices are vital in making campuses more secure and more convenient.