Fingerprint scanner has leveraged the biometric technology with a host of applications in discrete industries across the globe. An industry dealing with the equipments or the servers that demands ironclad security, scalability and tremendous storage capacity entails secure access control mechanism for machines & workstations.

Fingerprint impressions are implicitly ingrained to each individual and that is why controlling the access of high-end machines, servers, workstations or mainframes by means of biometric fingerprint authentication of a person is deemed to be the most reliable approach. Identification via biometric fingerprint sensor will assure that vital data or use of sensitive equipment is kept away from unauthorized hands.

In a progressively digitized world, digital identification holds a special place in securing the systems, database, servers, mainframes operation and machines across various sectors. The old schooled PINs and passwords struggles throughout the expanse of distinct businesses, enterprises and equipment manufacturing industries, facing its fair share of flak for easily getting into the hands of hackers.

In a bid to bolster secure access to sensitive equipments, mainframes resorted to bulk data processing and enterprise resource planning; embracing Biometric authentication is the need of an hour.

Concept of Biometrics-based Equipment Access Control

Many countries have witnessed an unexpected surge in security breaches across various verticals in the past few years. In order to tweak this gloomy scenario of the security flaw, fingerprint scanners have battled to mop up the unreliable passwords and PINs which can be hacked in seconds without a hitch.

In technology-driven world, heavy and light industries are manufacturing sophisticated machines armed with high-end equipments on a day-to-day basis. Be it a construction industry, agricultural, health care, oil & refinery industries; engine equipment, industrial process control, turbine generator sets and for all the remaining manufacturing & service industries secure access control plays a vital.

To keep up with the rising security concerns, biometric-based equipment access control has arrived as a breather for permitting only a sanctioned operator to access the equipment or machine. Employing fingerprint scanners are highly significant for equipment process control since the state-of-the-art biometric technology has the capability to eschew unauthorized use of sensitive machines or equipments.

What is Bio Logon (Login)?

On the other hand, unauthorized encroachment is often perceived in operating systems, applications, servers, mainframes, desktops, and various workstations as the mainstream computing devices do not come with built-in fingerprint hardware. To enhance security of logical assets/operating systems, servers and mainframes, the concept of Bio Logon (Biometrics Login) is on the verge of getting instigated in varied sectors.

Bio Logon is a novel concept wherein the users will require validating their identity by means of portable biometric fingerprint device. The biometric device will be plug and play, which can easily be attached with a PC or any logical  hardware.

Bio logon is undeniably the most assured approach of holding off the hackers, fraudsters and unofficial users from violating the rights of accessing server-based back end system, mainframe operations, operating systems and crucial files/documents securely stored on the computer system.

Biometric Authentication – Offering Secure Access to Machines & Logical Assets

Biometric-based equipment access control provides consent to an authorized operator only for utilization of equipment or machine by configuring the biometric fingerprint scanner device externally. As the identification of an authorized person will be carried out with the assistance of the biometric scanner, it will forbid an unauthorized use of sensitive equipment. Fingerprint scanners or modules can be employed for the equipments utilized in sensitive operations or safety hazardous interlocked system and likewise.

The sole objective of offering secure access to an authorized operator for operating the equipment/machine is to steer clear of possible damages to the equipment. For instance, aircraft refueling is a sensitive operation during which the panel of fuelling equipment shall be monitored by an authorized fuelling operator only. Under such circumstances, biometric authentication paves a way to operate the equipment by restricting any unauthorized person to access the machine.

Organizations, businesses and enterprises perceive the merits of biometric technology for safeguarding their workstations, server rooms and other business assets. One of the pioneering applications of biometric fingerprint sensor device or module is to furnish business network security by offering secure access to an authorized person for utilizing, modifying or retrieving the logical assets of an Enterprise.

Bio Logon is nothing but logging into a workstation or accessing the operational rights of mainframes through authenticating an operator’s identity by means of a fingerprint scanner. The sensor device employed to validate the operator shall support 1:1 and 1:N matching functionality.

1:1 matching means the biometric data of an operator will be matched one-on-one with the unique ID number coupled with him. Whereas 1:N matching means, the biometric data of an operator will be matched with the data of all the registered operators.

Benefits of Controlling Access through Biometrics

Reduces the threat of enterprise data theft as the person accessing the servers or systems is authenticated with the aid of biometric fingerprint scanner.

Biometric authentication system offers convenience and security as it will not permit an unauthorized person to access the sensitive information stored in the PC.

The fingerprint scanner device supports sophisticated and solid authentication for enabling only legitimate operators to access the equipment or machine.

Protects the mainframes, servers and systems from unauthorized access.

Features of Biometrics-based Access Control

Rapid identification of operator or an authorized user through biometric fingerprint scanner.

For controlling access of equipments or machines, fingerprint as well as iris scanner modules can be employed.

Fingerprint biometric logging to securely access the system.

Fingerprint logon for workstation to ensure secure Single Sign-On (SSO) for Enterprise.

Securing mainframe operations by permitting only an authorized user to access the system through reliable fingerprint scanner device.

Technological Advancement In the World

Windows Hello – a novel feature of Windows 10 enables the identification of an authorized user through the biometric security platform to sign-in to a computer, Apps and websites too. With this amazing feature, a user will able to log in into a Windows system only after authenticating through the biometric image.

Moreover, IBM has instigated the IBM Security Access Manager for Enterprises to enable secure Single Sign On (SSO) by authenticating the users with the aid of fingerprint biometric sensors in both shared and personal workstations.