BioConnect: Identity Authentication in Access Control

For centuries, people have used locks, doors, and keys tocontrol access. Today, many keys have been replaced by digital cards, badges, and passcodes that can be scanned or entered to access areas. But even the most advanced locks can’t tell who is opening the door.

BioConnect couples decades of Gentex experience in sensing technology and hardware with an on-premise security software suite to validate identities while controlling access to spaces. The concept shifts security from user access to user authentication – proving personal identity, instead of possession of a key.

The Problem

The demand for high security in sensitive locations is growing, especially in high-tech industries. Data centers are creating an explosion of new construction across the world.  However, within the industry, security needs are higher than they ever have been before.

Within these kinds of facilities and in many workplaces, a wide variety of personally identifiable information is stored, from financial information to social security numbers.

Risk is concentrated. Even one shared passcode or a stolen keycard could result in hundreds of stolen identities. While many buildings have physical security perimeters that authorize entrances and exits, few have systems in place that verify identities of those entering, exiting, and on-site in every location. Identity is often verified by front desk and security personnel who compare physical photos and information on ID documents.

Even when upgrading security and identity management systems makes sense, the work is often a huge expense and major interruption for those accessing the spaces (as well as an increased security risk during the upgrade).

Additionally, most cloud-based software solutions to manage access and identity don’t provide the level of compliance needed for high-security locations, such as data centers or banking locations.

The Solution

BioConnect goes beyond doorway control and provides a full authentication system, including their suite of biometric readers for granting access to access points and BioConnect Enterprise, their on-premise software that allows for complete control of data and access to all collected information.

Hardware Innovation for Uninterrupted Access:

 

BioConnect sensor panels combine existing access technology, such as RFID readers, and biometric information collection.

They also integrate with existing access control systems, creating an ecosystem of hardware and software that can be rolled out seamlessly: As BioConnect authentication is established at an organization, existing access isn’t constrained.

Software Security for Customers and Enrollees:

While customers count on identity authentication platforms to protect their spaces, they must also protect enrollees in the platform as well.

Similar to passkeys that are stored directly on mobile devices, enrollees’ biometric information is captured and transferred via encrypted channels with BioConnect. It is stored locally, not in the cloud, to ensure it’s inaccessible to bad actors:

Data collection is minimized to ensure only what is needed for authentication is saved.

And access devices can authenticate locally without connecting to a network or the internet, providing an additional layer of security and reliability.

The result is a digital trust platform that uses biometric information to confirm who is actually accessing a space, at any given time.

The Experience

For enrollees who access areas secured with BioConnect, the experience is almost invisible. Facial and fingerprint scans replace badge access or add an additional layer of security through multi-factor authentication to areas, but doors continue to unlock and access points are opened as normal. Reader panels send information to BioConnect software and protect access to facilities.

For customers and security teams, the value expands beyond securing physical perimeters. Identities are verified in real time with biometrics as enrollees enter, access, and exit areas. Innovations in contextual identity management are expanding capabilities further, allowing for identification of patterns of behavior and risk factors based on who is accessing a space at any given time.

In addition, the centralized data collection provided by BioConnect simplifies audit compliance for customers. A compliance suite can package and export information in a way that doesn’t require hours of manual data filtering to get to information that’s ready for auditors.

The result is a unique integrated software and hardware platform that not only validates identities, but also builds trust between enrollees, security teams, and customers, built on years of experience in sensing and biometric technology.

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