With crime rates continuing to rise in recent years, security has become very crucial for every family or business. Theft and burglary cases are common yet only a small percentage of them have been solved, with resolution rates falling.
As such, every home or establishment needs another piece of protection to stop thieves from accomplishing their acts. For the longest time, safes have been that essential tool that prevented many peoples’ important belongings from getting into the wrong hands.
Fortunately, safes have also evolved along with technology. Now, there are ones that use biometrics to provide better protection than the traditional ones. Biometrics safes are becoming increasingly popular in the past couple of years, and have been making an impact in many aspects of security. Meanwhile, undergo a reliable lie Detector Test here.
What is a Biometric Safe?
A biometric safe is a safe that uses a person’s fingerprint to open, instead of using a password or a physical key. Since no two fingerprints are alike, you can be assured that no unauthorized user has your safe’s access.
First, you need to input and record your fingerprint on the allotted sensor. The saved data will then be used in comparison with the “live” information. Once it matches, it will prompt the safe to open. The technology allows multiple fingerprints to be stored, which means you can control who else may open your safe.
Other Types of Biometric Data
Yet, fingerprints are only one form of biometrics. Other devices and systems use other types of biometric data, which are all useful depending on the security application:
Face recognition: Making use of the distinct patterns of an individual’s face and storing, analyzing, and comparing unique facial contours. This type of biometric data is widely used on laptops and smartphones but is also now being utilized in authenticating a person’s identity in the security and law enforcement sector.
Voice recognition: The human voice has also its inherent attributes which makes it differ from another person’s voice. It identifies the limitless elements and patterns to authenticate an individual as he or she speaks to the device. Though it is used in security apps, its usage is more apparent in the E-commerce domain.
Benefits of Using Biometrics Safes
From faster access to better security to ease of control, getting one for your home or business not only ensures protection but also offers the convenience you cannot find in traditional safes. If you’re still thinking whether it’s time to ditch your old safe, check here on how biometric safes revolutionized security:
No Combination or Password to Remember
With the use of biometric data, you no longer need to remember a combination or password to open your safe. And, if you’re the type of person who writes access codes on a notebook or the notepad of your smartphone or computer, you eliminate the risk of having someone get them, which compromises your security. All that you’ll need is to place your fingertips on the sensor, and your safe will conveniently unlock.
No More Keys To Keep
Some traditional safes still use keys for access. There are no problems with them as long as you don’t lose the key. If you accidentally, it doesn’t only pose security risks but may also require you to spend a hefty amount just to have it opened and to get your belongings. Though rare, there are also instances where the key gets broken off in the lock, which can be another hassle.
Quicker Access
Biometric safes also offer faster access to the contents, which is pretty important if you’re keeping your firearms or ammunition in a gun safe. During emergency situations, such as a break-in, it may take time and be harder to remember codes, key in your password, or find physical keys. However, with a biometric safe, you can quickly access your safe by pressing your finger, significantly decreasing the effort and time lost, which are both crucial in dangerous circumstances.
Multiple Access
As most biometric safes allow the storage of different people’s fingerprints, it eliminates the risk of producing spare keys or having many people know the combination or password to a safe. By using biometric data, you can choose who among your family members, co-workers, or staff can only have access to your safe.
Better Security
With the biometric data unique to each person, security is increased a hundredfold. Your kid may guess the code to your gun safe, or find it written somewhere, allowing them to open your safe. For biometric safes, you can be more at ease knowing that no other persons can gain access unless you have permitted them to, keeping the utmost protection of your important belongings.
Drawbacks of Using Biometric Safes
Though biometric safes seem to be very useful, like any tool, there are some downsides that you need to be aware of and consider before investing in one:
False Positives
False positives happen when someone is able to open the safe, without previously recording his or her biometric data in the security system. While it seems scary, these false scans only occur in older models and those cheaply-made biometric safes. Modern safes have eliminated such errors, and it is for you to invest in high-quality ones.
Non-scans
If you’re using a fingerprint scanner on your smartphone, you might have noticed that there are times when it won’t recognize your fingerprint. The same way goes for biometric safes where it fails to authenticate the “live” information, due to a system fault or simply when your finger is dirty. Moreover, fingerprints also tend to become less defined through age, which can make it harder for older people to use biometric safes.
Needs Power to Operate
Electronic scanners are used to record and scan fingerprints. As such, they need a power source, usually batteries to keep them functioning. If the battery drains, the sensor won’t work, leaving you unable to open the safe. Fortunately, high-quality biometric safes usually feature a battery monitor that will let you know when it’s time to charge or replace the safe’s batteries.
Cost
Upgrading to a biometric safe entails extra cost. However, its price range has pretty declined in the past years, leaving only a small cost margin than lock, combination, or key safes. Nevertheless, don’t settle for the cheapest biometric safe, just because you want one. Cheap biometric are usually of less quality and might incur different problems in the long run. If possible, take time to save and invest in more expensive models.
Takeaway
Biometric safes are useful tools you can add to your arsenal, providing better security for your valuables. Its important to shop and look for the best biometric gun safe for your needs. Nevertheless, any decision to upgrade to them from traditional safe lies in your decision. Just make sure to consider all factors stated above and evaluate it to your needs, or of your business or family.