In today’s busy and competitive world, Security is a huge concern and individuals are constantly looking for reliable ways to ensure safety of their physical as well as logical assets. For a very long time, the most common way of protecting our homes and belongings was to use lock and key systems. The security protocol followed was to have a single key for a single lock. However, it is not difficult to make multiple keys for a single lock and hence this system is outdated and cannot guarantee security. The next level of security is provided by more modern systems that use a password or PIN as an authenticating tool. In such systems, the password of authenticated users is stored for the purpose of validation which provides substantial safety as it acts as a secret code for the authorized users. But this system also has a pitfall as unauthorized users can hack passwords by continuously trying all possible combinations using some sophisticated techniques.

The newest form of home access control systems deal with biometric information such as fingerprints. It is a boon as it overcomes the problems of previous Security Systems as well as provides a very high level of recognition accuracy. The skin on our fingers exhibits a flow like pattern known as friction ridges. The patterns of these ridges on each finger are unique and immutable and this is what makes fingerprint a unique form of identification for each individual. The presence of fingerprint based security systems can be seen in many situations of our day-to-day lives. These systems have been deployed in various places such as offices, industries, and schools and more recently in home security. Such systems utilize a combination of biometric and embedded systems technology. Moreover, biometric technology has been used by law enforcement since a very long time to find suspects and now it is being used to identify the authorized individuals as well.

The primary as well as the most obvious benefit of this technology as compared to the conventional home security systems such as keys or passwords is that it is inherently linked to the home owner and therefore is much more difficult to compromise through theft, collusion or loss. The common perception that the incorporation of biometrics in home security systems will result in an expensive and sophisticated affair is in fact a myth. However the opposite is true. Integrating biometrics into security systems is not costly and home owners can affordably and easily use this technology to secure their property from theft and intruders. As a result, more and more individuals are starting to use this technology because it is convenient and inexpensive. Therefore we can say that home security systems actually become less complicated with the integration of this technology.

Home owners now do not need to remember any passwords or their home keys. Fingerprints also can neither be shared nor lost. This is the convenience that biometric technology brings to users along with improved reliability and security. With traditional lock and key systems, cases where the owner forgets or loses his key are not unheard of. The owner and his family members might have to remain locked out of their own house while they are waiting for a professional locksmith to unlock their door. In addition to the inconvenience, the owner will also need to spend an exorbitant amount to have a locksmith unlock the door and then get the door lock replaced. Fingerprint door locks are the perfect solution for home owners. Although this might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, this technology is becoming more common and various fingerprint scan locks are now readily available.

Individuals can use their fingerprints to effortlessly identify and verify that they actually are who they claim to be. Such is the power of this technology and owners and their families will no longer have to worry about keys. A biometric home security system is definitely a better solution and has tremendous benefits when compared to the conventional key door locks, key-less keypad locks, combination door locks or card reader locks. As these locks can only be opened by a specific person based on their unique fingerprint, they are therefore excellent for providing guaranteed security, speed and convenience. In addition to being the most accurate and cost-effective home security system, duplication of this method is also virtually impossible.

This system can also easily perform verification where it compares an input fingerprint to the enrolled print of particular user to ascertain if they belong to the same finger. The security of our homes lays literally in our hands rather our fingertips now with these systems.

Fingerprint systems have been used as a technique of personal identification for more than a century. It is a simple process that accepts or rejects the claimed identity of an individual by matching a live sample with an existing template. It has long been used by government agencies as well as business organizations for access control and recording employee time and attendance. Now this technology has finally trickled down to the consumer level and home owners too can take advantage of the tremendous potential of these systems by utilizing them to secure their homes and physical assets.

These systems are simple to understand and the biometric sensor is the main part that is used to capture the fingerprint. This sensor may use various types of technology such as thermal, ultrasound or optical. It stores the pattern of the print when an individual touches it. The owner might want to authorize other members too for accessing the home security system. So the owner and all authorized members will have to get their fingerprints scanned by the system. A numerical algorithm will convert it into a template and store it. For subsequent accesses, the authorized individual must provide the same print to be scanned and access will only be granted if the sensor recognizes the presented finger.

These systems are the latest in home security solutions that require only fingerprints to unlock a door. It basically consists of a scanner and database having fingerprints of authorized individuals who will be granted access by a simple swipe of their finger across the screen for verification. The benefits of such a mechanism are quite obvious as only the owner and the other selected people will be able to access the house. Moreover, it is highly secured as no two individuals have the same prints and owners no longer need to worry about losing the house keys or forgetting to lock the door. It also eliminates the possibility of locks getting picked as the door is key-less now with biometric security system.

Fingerprint technology is more commonly used than any other biometric modality in residential security systems. Fingerprint identification systems are quick and easy and also eliminate the contortions required for a face or eye scan. In addition to these, there are numerous benefits of installing such a mechanism. Let us look at few top reasons that are discussed below.

One of the primary reasons for adopting this system is that it completely eliminates the need of any key to operate door locks. This is a huge benefit for most people and especially those who are in the habit of misplacing or forgetting their keys. With this type of door lock, a big responsibility is removed from the user’s shoulder as keeping the key securely is a must for every home owner. There always comes a time when someone loses a key no matter how careful they have been to keep all things at one place. Biometric door locks are the perfect solution for such situations.

These door locks are simple in execution and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any type of door. Initially the designs were limited when this technology was newly introduced to residential security systems. But today there are numerous door-fingerprint combinations available in the market. These locks are mostly designed for front doors or doors inside the garage and all they require is a thumb-sized scanner fixed somewhere on the handle.

Other types also combine biometric identification and keypads for extra security. Depending on the number of security layers and how advanced the system is the prices can range from a couple hundred to several hundred dollars. The most expensive sensors have the capability to remember the history of fingerprints as well as hold many print profiles for friends and family. Also, the widespread use of these devices and latest innovations has made available a variety of affordable scanners. Many stylish and sleek systems are available where the reader can be stealthily integrated into the overall design. Also, these scanners can be easily installed on most standard doors.

This system makes it unnecessary to carry around numerous keys for gaining access. A simple swipe of the authorized fingerprint across the scanner is sufficient for gaining access. Owners no longer need to worry about the safety of their premises or valuables as their fingerprint is unique and virtually impossible to copy.

It provides quicker access to individuals as it eliminates the need to manually lock and unlock doors with keys. Moreover, these systems usually shut doors automatically once the individual has entered his or her house thereby ensuring that only authorized persons can enter.

Sometimes the traditional number lock on a home safe might not be sufficient. Instead, a biometric solution is a better option as it provides highly personalized safety by using fingerprint analysis scanners to protect the contents. These systems can dissuade thieves who might steal an ordinary home safe with the intention of breaking it later. Biometric solution also allows the owner to limit access of the safe to only one or two individuals. In addition to being highly useful for key documents and jeweler, this is also a valued security feature for firearm safes and gun cabinets where contents can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

Unlike door locks with keys, a biometric system cannot be overridden by any individual unless they have the home owner’s fingers to prove to the system for authorized access. Conventional door locks are vulnerable to lock pickers. But biometric systems are impossible to break and provide effective defense against any kind of intrusion and is the best home security solution for areas that are prone to robberies.

Although this system might be a bit expensive in terms of the initial investment, it proves to be a cost-effective option in the long run. In comparison to other common types of locks, a fingerprint door lock does not break down easily especially the ones that are constructed from quality materials and manufactured by well-known companies.

This system does not need any complicated mechanism or things that might be discouraging to new users as it is very intuitive and can be used in a simple manner.

Home security is a very essential part of our lives in this twenty first century and biometric systems are the best choice to protect our property and family effectively. Other types of security systems have some weakness as they depend on something that can be lost, stolen or shared. Biometrics however has none of these weaknesses.