With the onset of the new novel coronavirus, the focus has never been as intense on hygiene as it is right now. As we are expected to make sure that our hands are always disinfected, for our health as well as the health of those around us, attention also needs to be placed on biometrics and how we interact with rugged biometric devices.
Naturally, with people being more aware than ever before about what they touch, biometric systems have had to adapt to the crisis, with adaptations set to remain for years to come. Here we will discuss how to safeguard biometric systems from infection.
Most biometric systems, for example, electronic signature pads, are set up in such a way that a part of the body has to touch it. Whether it is leaning your chin in a scanner, pressing your forehead up to a system to scan the iris, or touching a screen to have a fingerprint scanned, this contact with biometrics can spread infectious illnesses like COVID-19.
Luckily, there are various ways that you can protect your systems from becoming a hub of infection.
From using disinfectants to opting for contactless biometric systems, you can enjoy all of the benefits of having some of the most advanced technology to handle your data collection and access control, without the worry of possibly spreading illness to those who use the system.
The downside is that contactless biometric systems can be a little more expensive and depending on the quality of the system you have bought, it might not be as reliable when it comes to collecting data.
So what is the alternative to safeguard biometric systems from infection?
Keeping your systems clean should be your first and foremost priority both now and in the years following this crisis. The world as we know it is likely to be changed for many years to come, and in the coming years, we are going to see hygiene continue to play a very visual and important role in our day to day lives.
Each and every time someone uses the biometric system, it should be disinfected the right way and those who work with the systems also need to take the appropriate actions to ensure that they stay safe.
It goes without saying that biometric hardware is made to be rugged and durable, but that doesn’t mean that it is not sensitive to damage if it is being cleaned with something that is either too harsh or simply not appropriate for the system.
Damage to the hardware could result in the system being unable to read fingerprints or irises, which could be the case if the hardware is in some way scratched or tarnished. This is why it is so important that biometrics are handled correctly when cleaned. The last thing you want to do is have to replace a pricey system.
It is important to make sure that the right cleaning products as well as materials are used when wiping the surface. An abrasive cloth is probably not the best idea if you are working with a more delicate surface.
Fingerprint biometrics are known to suffer from a lot more wear and tear than your other types of biometric systems, simply because they are used and touched far more often than the other types. With this in mind, you’ll want to be extra careful when disinfecting.
How are biometrics changing the world in light of COVID-19?
There are many ways in which biometrics are changing the way we approach data collection and access control. With the onset of the devastating coronavirus, biometrics have again become a point of interest because they can offer password-less, and as mentioned contact-less, society.
Right now is the best possible time to get rid of password control, as around the world criminals are taking advantage of the crisis to attack organisations relying on passwords for access control and security. Remember, access control doesn’t necessarily only mean access to physical areas, it can also mean access to software and important data. Think of banks as an example.
Should more companies, in the wake of COVID-19, choose to rather integrate biometrics into their companies to replace existing setups, the old school methods of using passwords, SMS authentication and usernames, will slowly be phased out.
This phasing out is not necessarily a bad thing, because it has the power to improve security overall. And if kept clean and hygienic, the chances of risking an outbreak of illness is kept to an absolute minimum.
Another interesting thing that has emerged in light of COVID-19 is that governments across the world have implemented geo-tracking and other location tracking procedures to follow the illness and assist in ensuring that people can be quickly tested and receive medical help, before spreading the virus further. This implementation can give us a good indication as to what the future will look like.
Facial recognition is already set to be used in airports to ease the processing of passengers, to better handle the security, take control of passport processing and help with check-ins. The idea will be to minimise the amount of contact between people by creating a touch-less system.
As biometrics have played a certain role in the handling of the outbreak, it has been predicted that once the dust of the pandemic settles, facial recognition will continue to play a part in the new world.
Regardless of the situation right now, the future is brighter than it appears. If you are keen on integrating biometrics into your company, you will find all sorts of useful systems and devices amongst our collection of biometric products.
Now is the right time to make the switch from conventional data collection and entry systems, to the technologically advanced options that are biometrics.
