In technical terms, biometrics measures physical and behavioral characteristics for statistical analysis of the collected data. What this means for the employer who wants to use this technology is a new way to track and monitor employee time and attendance. Biometrics is mainly used in an employment setting to identify employees and control access to areas and information.
The basic premise for using biometric technology is to collect unique details to identify individuals as they gain access to company spaces. This could be remotely or onsite. Features measured include the iris, voice, face and fingerprints.
More common in the workplace is unique physical attributes of the body particularly fingerprints to identify and verify each employee attempting access a building or electronic data. Biometric technology has been around for many years, but modern advances has introduced it into the workplace. Companies are realizing the full benefits of this readily affordable technology.
Types of Biometrics
There are two basic types of biometrics: physiological and behavioral. Both are essential for use in the verification and identification systems used in developing employee time tracking systems.
In the verification system, input is based on a biometric record stored in a database to identify the employee attempting to enter a building or department area. That database record is compared with the person gaining entry. When a match is authenticated, entry is granted. A comparison is the only thing performed.
For the identification system, a biometric record is the only input. The system searches the database to find the most similar biometric data with query to determine whether the person attempting to gain entry is the same person in the database. Multiple comparison are performed in this system.
How the Fingerprint Scanner Works
A fingerprint scanner that uses biometrics technology has two basic functions. First, it needs to get an image of each employee’s finger. Second, the scanner must take the characteristics collected from the image and determine whether the ridges and valleys create a pattern that matches pre-scanned images that are stored in the database.
Specific characteristics unique to each fingerprint are saved as an encrypted biometric key. In other words, the actual image of the fingerprint is not saved, but rather, a series of numbers in a binary code that is used for verification purposes. No one can ever duplicate fingerprints stored in the database to gain illegal access to a company.
Consequently, fingerprints of employees become the unique marker to identify them as they attempt to gain entry. The role of the fingerprint scanner takes the place of a human analyst comparing fingerprints. This is similar to the fingerprint analysis in a crime scene investigation or security breach, but used in a workplace setting. The technology does what a person would do manually in this type of scenario.
Allay Privacy and Cleanliness Concerns
Most people have seen what the movie version of biometrics looks like: one of the characters enters a secured building by having a retinal scan prove her identify before she can enter a top-secret installation. Without the Hollywood portrayal, biometrics tend to provide a more convenient way to clock in at work.
Even if an employee forgets his or her ID, a biometric device allows him or her to still gain entry because fingerprints are stored in the database. As long as there is a match, the employee’s identity is authenticated.
This is convenient, but the concern for privacy cannot be overlooked. In order for biometrics to work consistently, the company will need a database with relevant information on each employee who is authorized previously by the system. For instance, the biometric signature for every employee must be recorded before the scanners can verify the identity of each employee.
On the surface, this might not be a problem. When the only data stored in the system relates to biometric measurements, there is minimal chances of privacy violations. However, the nature of a biometric system is to collect more than the employee’s fingerprints or other data.
What is Biometrics and Employee Attendance Management?
For more than a decade, biometrics has been effectively used for employee attendance management, and workforce management. However, despite its widespread use, some misconceptions and confusion remains.
Many question its capabilities and whether this technology is really ready to transform time and attendance tracking functions without compromising privacy. To dispel concerns requires understand what biometrics does and how it actually improves attendance management processes.
Here are some facts to consider about biometrics.
• This technology offers an unmatched ability to accurately and swiftly capture real-time data about a company’s labor force while providing a complete audit trail.
• Biometrics has endured intense scrutiny and has proven that proper deployment ensures it is safe and secure.
• Companies receive direct and indirect operational benefits that is not received from alternative methods of tracking employee time and attendance.
• Companies that have embraced biometrics technology rely on its advances to automate employee attendance practices. The results are demonstrating a significant reduction in fraudulent time entry, time theft and better management reporting for direct and indirect labor costs.
