Homework Responses Week 6

Access control systems (ACS) are essential to any security program.  The programs are there to allow access for authorized personnel while preventing or detecting entry by unauthorized individuals.  The ability to accurately identify those accessing a facility or sensitive location will only aid in the security posture of any organization.  ACS systems work in conjunction with many other systems.  Those include Defense in Depth security systems including alarms and detection systems, fire and safety systems, emergency management, and building management.  There are a several features to utilize on an integrated access control system.  Security staff at entry locations and/or monitoring closed-circuit television cameras that overwatch these locations work with ACS systems. 

Identification can be aided at access control points utilizing identification cards and biometric technology.  Biometric technology can help ensure identification by utilizing individual characteristics of a person.  There are several types of biometric identification in use today.  Those include facial recognition, retina scan, voice recognition, hand geometry, and fingerprints.  Each of these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.  It is prudent the security manager carefully selects which biometric system to use based on the security plan and the needs of the organization.

For access into a sensitive area, hand geometry is a biometric technology that can be employed.  This emerging technique has advantages and challenges to providing security.  Hand geometry uses geometric measurements of a hand features for identification.  The features measured include hand length and width as well as finger width and length. This technique is relatively simple to collect measurements while being minimally intrusive.  One concern of biometrics is false positives or false negatives.  Hand geometry offers simple remedies to false readings by applying significant lighting for improved had readings.  Verification of hand readings can be conducted quickly to allow fast verification of identification. However, there are some challenges to using this technology.  Dirty settings can make hand geometry verification difficult.  The security manager can ensure proper maintenance is applied to address this concern.  In addition, hand geometry can be expensive.  Due to being a new technology, scanning systems are proprietary and require a significant amount of physical space for equipment. 

 

 

References

Asha, S., & Chellappan, C. (2012).  Biometrics: An overview of the technology, issues and applications.  Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.736.1587&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Smith, C., & Brooks, D. (2013).  Chapter 7: Integrated Identification Technology. Retrieved from https://web-b-ebscohost-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook?sid=f1ec6532-0a94-4ce1-8600-8e0c5c3324b4%40sessionmgr101&ppid=pp_153&vid=0&format=EB