The Rise Of Multispectral Biometrics As The Future Of Security

From the earliest fingerprint scanners that relied on primitive optical sensors to today's advanced multispectral imaging devices, this evolution has been defined by problem solving, innovation and the pursuit of greater security.

However in this article we'll talk about one significant shift in biometric security technology which has redefined what organisations can expect from their access control and identity management systems, namely Multispectral fingerprint recognition.

The limitations of conventional Optical fingerprint scanners

For decades, optical fingerprint scanners dominated the biometric access and attendance systems space. These devices mainly relied on reflection of light for capturing ridges and valleys of the fingerprints. There's no doubt that this was a revolutionary technology in its time, however it soon became apparent that it had its shortcomings as well.

• Spoofing was easy: Optical systems often struggled to find any difference between a real human finger and a replica such as a silicone moulded finger. This presented risks of spoofing in high-security ecosystems.
• Environmental hindrances: Wet or dirty fingers often caused incorrect readings leading to failed attempts. In spaces such as construction, mining, manufacturing etc, workers often found themselves unable to get any authorisation using these devices.
• Skin-Surface reliability: Conventional optical readers relied heavily on the external fingerprint image, meaning even small tears or worn-out sensors could render the device ineffective.

According to a US-based study by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) conventional Optical fingerprint scanners demonstrated a false rejection rate of up to 10% in outdoor working ecosystems. While efficient for offices and indoor settings, such systems are not sustainable for harsher conditions and high-usage volumes.

The emergence of Multispectral imaging

Multispectral imaging devices represent a gigantic leap forward in this space. Rather than capturing only the skin surface, it uses multiple wavelengths of light to penetrate beneath the skin and recognise detailed subsurface fingerprint data.

There are multiple advantages for this technology:

• Superior accuracy rate: By combining surface and subsurface fingerprint data, multispectral readers can correctly identify the person even when the outer skin is worn, damaged or dirty. False rejection rates can get as less as 1%, ensuring smooth operations.
• Enhanced Security: With multispectral imaging, it becomes significantly more difficult for attackers to spoof the system with fake fingerprints.
• Resilient to adverse environments: Whether the finger is greasy, wet or dusty, multispectral imaging devices adapt to the condition and deliver accurate results every single time. This makes them highly suitable for industrial plants, mines and even outdoor construction ecosystems.
• Faster throughput: Modern multispectral readers are optimised for speed. They can process thousands of matches per minute, which is critical for ecosystems with a large employee base.

This innovation handles the practical concerns that conventional Optical readers left unresolved. With its highly advantageous features, Multispectral fingerprint readers are becoming more of a necessity than an option.

Organisations are investing in secure, future-proof solutions that can withstand not only today's operational challenges but also predict and be ready for tomorrow's security threat. Especially in sectors like finance, energy and critical infrastructure, the stakes are higher than ever. A single lapse in security can have consequences far beyond the affected organisation. Regulatory bodies are becoming stricter with requirements for biometric systems to conform to ISO and ANSI standards, making conventional devices increasingly unsuitable for modern times.

How Access Computech helps you transition

As a company with 25+ years of experience in this industry, we have seen these changes unfold and understand that innovation must translate into reliable, practical solutions. That is why we introduced a range of biometric devices equipped with multispectral imaging technology, such as our Sentinel FP.

The Sentinel FP is designed to overcome the precise challenges that conventional Optical devices faced. It combines optical and multispectral fingerprint scanning, ensuring dependable accurate results across different environments. With the ability to store thousands of employee record data, an in-built battery for uninterrupted operation and standards of international biometry (ISO 19794 and ANSI 378), it exemplifies how modern innovation should be harnessed for reliability and security.

For ecosystems with a large workforce, our devices match speed and accuracy, delivering stellar results in real time without any false rejection rates. Whether in a steel plant, a cement factory, power station or any corporate office, the Sentinel FP provides a seamless experience.

Biometric technology has been continuously evolving, incorporating features such as facial recognition, use of artificial intelligence in spoof detection and storing employee data in cloud-integrated identity systems. At Access Computech, we remain committed to deliver solutions that stand at the forefront of this evolution. Our devices are all about trust and reliability so businesses can focus on their growth while we safeguard their safety.

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