The simplest answer to this question is that fingerprinting is the oldest form of biometric analysis. Indeed, as far back as the reign of Hammurabi (circa 1792 to 1750 BCE), there are records of fingerprints being recorded after arrests. While we don’t know for sure whether the ancient Babylonians were aware of the unique identifying traits found in the minute details of our fingerprints, it’s safe to say that humans have been on a trajectory for developing this form of biometric technology for millennia.
While fingerprinting certainly has quite the head-start on more recently developed biometrics like iris scanning, voice recognition, keystroke dynamics, and gait recognition, this isn’t the sole reason for its continuing popularity. Let’s take a look at some of the most fascinating facts about fingerprint scanners to uncover why they are still the best-selling biometric solutions.
The best fingerprint scanners are virtually impossible to fool
Of course, we must approach this with the scientific understanding that we can’t have 100% certainty that a fingerprint scanner is fool-proof. However, if you invest in the best technology, you can certainly rest assured that your biometric time clock or access control system can’t be tricked.
The foundation for this certainty lies in the fact that even after more than a century of global fingerprint comparison, no two people have ever had perfectly matching fingerprints – not even identical twins. This means that if your fingerprint scanner is sensitive enough to collect 20+ data points from any given fingerprint, it’s highly unlikely that it will give you any false positives.
High-quality fingerprint scanners also come with extra layers of protection – like “liveness detection” to ensure fingerprint clones can’t be used – meaning users can rest assured that their data, premises, and physical assets are safe.
Fingerprint biometrics are affordable and easy to use
Fingerprint time clocks and access control systems offer an easy way into the world of biometric security for businesses of all sizes. Even the most cutting-edge technology tends to be far more affordable than most business owners assume. This means you can stick to even the tightest budget without having to compromise on quality.
As the most established form of biometric technology, there’s a strong market for fingerprint scanners, and this has allowed people to grow used to them. Many smartphones, tablets, and laptops come with fingerprint scanners, so it’s generally an easy learning curve for employees when a business installs this form of technology.
People are more comfortable with fingerprint scanners
Building from the last point, our familiarity with fingerprint scanners has led to a greater level of comfort with the technology. Indeed, employees tend to be far happier with fingerprint access systems as the simple scanner can replace keys, fobs, and passwords, which are all far too easy to lose or forget. With a fingerprint scanner, no valuable resources or productive time is ever lost on hunting for keys, recovering passwords, or canceling and reprinting keycards.
Of course, many people maintain privacy concerns around biometrics and the use and safe storage of their personal data. However, a recent study by The University of Texas found that, of all forms of biometric technology, people were most comfortable with fingerprinting.
Consumer Attitudes about Biometric Authentication was part two of the University’s research report into biometric authentication technology. From a diverse spread of 1,000 participants, the researchers found that 86% were comfortable with fingerprint biometrics (58% were “very comfortable” and 28% were “somewhat comfortable”).
In addition to being generally at ease with the technology, 67% of participants ranked fingerprinting as the modality they were most comfortable with out of all forms of biometrics.
Funding has driven innovation in fingerprint scanners
Since fingerprinting has been the identification system of choice among law enforcement and government agencies worldwide, an eye-watering amount of money has been funneled into research and development.
Top technology experts have been driving innovation for decades, and they are never short of the funds they need to drive innovation forward. This is why we’re able to have such cutting-edge technology available to us in the personal electronic devices we use at home.
The fingerprint biometric market is competitive
With demand remaining high due to the factors described above, more and more manufacturers have been attracted to this segment of the biometrics market. With competition comes a need to deliver high-quality, cost-effective scanners. In turn, this pushes up demand, creating a continuous cycle that keeps fingerprint time clocks and other devices at the top of the biometrics market.
Fingerprint scanners offer the best return on investment for business owners
Given that fingerprint scanners are affordable, readily available, highly advanced, easy to use, and non-threatening to employees, they are able to offer a far greater ROI for business owners than other forms of biometric technology.
Of course, this will change over the coming years as new developments are made in this rapidly advancing industry. Indeed, we are already seeing excellent results from access control systems that combine fingerprint biometrics with facial recognition and other modalities. These systems allow for multi-factor authentication, creating added layers of security for businesses large and small.
Even just a few decades ago, biometric identification was almost entirely synonymous with fingerprinting. While fingerprint scanners certainly do still dominate the market, global biometric giants like FingerTec are driving innovation and delivering more and more sophisticated technology to consumers.
If you feel your business may be ready for a biometric solution to security and access control, contact Nexus Biometric today. Our technicians would be more than happy to help you find the ideal solution for your unique needs.
