An estate provides superior security for its residents by providing additional layers of access control to their premises. This is usually done through remotes, keys and access tags, however, these systems have their drawbacks because remotes get misplaced and are challenging to manage at scale (i.e. when there are lots of them). Biometric access control systems are a better solution for estates because there are fewer components to manage and that could get lost or need to be replaced and reprogrammed, making it a more secure and less onerous solution to manage.

In this blog, we will have a look at the different types of biometric access control available. We will also look at the benefits this type of system provides compared to alternatives, and how you can go about selecting the best solution for your specific requirements. All to help you find the right access control solution for your estate, ensuring your home is as secure as possible.

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What is biometric access control?

Biometric access control for estates like standard access control is designed to control who is allowed onto the property. The key difference is that with standard access control, there is a remote or key given to the user to grant access. Whereas with biometric access control, the system uses physical identifying characteristics of the user to verify their identity and determine if they should be granted access. This ensures that the user always has their means of access on them and the system cannot easily be bypassed by potential intruders.

Types of biometric access control

As with standard access control systems which has various types including pin codes and remotes. Biometric access control for estates also has various methods to identify users as they request access. These systems include the following:

  • Fingerprint: One of the oldest and most well-known biometric systems is the fingerprint scanner. This system scans the user’s fingerprint which is unique to each individual and compares it to a list of pre-approved users. Thus determining if the user should be granted access or not. These systems have also improved since the covid pandemic with contactless fingerprint scanners, providing a more hygienic access control solution.
  • Palm vein scanner: A relatively newer system is the palm vein scanner. This system uses infrared light to scan the unique vein structure in your palm. This is widely considered one of the best biometric access control systems as it uses concealed physical attributes to identify users. Compared to other systems that use external and easily visible features for identification.
  • Facial recognition: The third method of biometric access control for estates is facial recognition. These systems scan the facial features of the user and compare them to a list of pre-approved users to determine if they should be granted access or not.

Benefits of biometric access control for estates

There are numerous benefits to using biometric access control for estates. These include the following:

  • Can’t be lost or stolen: The main benefit of biometric access control is that the access control method cannot be lost or stolen. This provides unparalleled security compared to traditional access control systems like remotes, which are easily misplaced or stolen. With biometrics, authorised users are guaranteed to be able to access the property as it identifies them by their physical characteristics.
  • Can’t be lent: A major security concern in access control is the lending of access. This is a concern in standard systems where users are able to lend their remote to others to grant them access. With biometric access control, however, the access credentials cannot be lent ensuring only users with authorisation can access the property.
  • Can’t be copied: Another benefit of biometric access control is that it cannot be copied. This is as opposed to standard access control solutions like remotes which can be cloned to grant intruders access. With biometrics, you can ensure that only authorised persons are allowed on your property.

Installing biometric access control for estates

As we can see biometric access control for estates provides exceptional security to all residents within the estate. Therefore, you may be wondering how much a biometric access control system costs and how to install it. The price of these systems varies depending on what model and system you buy. However, the cheaper systems start from less than R5,000 and the more advanced models can cost significantly more depending on the required sophistication and number of access points required. Fortunately, when it comes to installation most of these systems are designed to be plug-and-play. Meaning they are easily connected to the automation system of your boom gate, entry gate or any other entry control system.

Despite the ease of installation for these systems it can be best to leave their design and setup to professionals, to ensure it is done correctly. If you are looking for someone to install biometric access control for estates look no further than Lockfront Automation. They offer a full range of automation services including installation, repairs and maintenance. Their friendly qualified technicians will assist you in finding the right system for your property, and helping you set it up correctly. Ensuring your property is as secure as possible, keeping you and your loved ones safe.