Are you shopping for biometric locks? Then you need to read this article on how to select between an area and a swipe sensor
Does access control and security pique your interest? Or perhaps you want to know how realistic something you saw in a movie is.
Maybe a peer suggested you protect your trade secrets with a biometric lock. Either way,
you’re interested now and doing your research.
Some concepts about biometrics immediately make sense to you. You quickly familiarize yourself with the concept of censors and learn the industry jargon. You feel as though you’re ready to make a purchase when someone asks you a question which throws you off:
“Are you going with a swipe or area sensors?”
Somehow you missed that information in your research so you hurry to fill in the blanks to make sure you’re getting the best protection.
Area Sensors
Are sensors are the ones which have traditionally been used in biometric locks such as biometric fingerprint locks. With this type of lock, you physical press your finger against the sensor where it scans your print and attempts to match it with information stored within its memory. You know you will gain access if a match is made.
This surface based solution has provided increased security over traditional keyed locks for years. Although, while it has been useful, the concept of area censors also has some weaknesses:
•Latent prints—with fingerprint readers, the print remains on the surface of the sensor. This latent print can then be used to trick the biometric lock to grant access to someone who should not have access (techniques which use latent prints are common on movies and on television)
•Large surface area—area sensors have a larger surface area because the entire structure (for instance, a finger) needs to fit. There is more sensor material which could potentially break
•Replacement issues—although area sensors can be replaced when they break or reach there usage limit, this typically requires manufacturer assistance
•Reduce details—in comparison to swipe censors, surface-based sensors read 200 to 400 DPI (dots per inch)
Swipe Sensors
Swipe censors are being integrated into electronics such as cell phones and laptops. Because of the vital information we store on our electronics, the use of biometric locks to protect that information is increasing. Rather than placing a finger against the sensor, you swipe or sweep your finger across the device to gain access. The sensor creates images of your finger during movement and then pieces them together to produce an overall fingerprint image.
Swipe sensors have been toted for their advantages over area sensors:
•No latent fingerprint left on the device itself
•Swipe based sensors are capable of reading 500 DPI on a fingerprint—100 more dots per inch than an area sensor
•Swipe sensors are much smaller than their area counterparts, thus easier to protect from physical damage. This also makes swipe sensors ideal for small electronics such as cell phones.
•They are easier to replace than an area sensor
•Swipe sensors tend to be a more cost effective security solution than area sensors
However, you may to replace a swipe sensor more frequently because the motion of swiping creates surface wear.
If you are looking to buy a biometric lock and have the opportunity to purchase one with a swipe sensor instead of an area sensor, you can do so and know that it is a superior product.
