Are you still using a standard door knob lock for your home? Criminals becoming more and more adept in their skills. Chain locks, deadbolts, or simple padlocks are not enough to protect your house or office from a break in. Hence, upgrading to fingerprint door locks may be a worthwhile consideration for you. It is fast becoming a popular practice in securing many residential and commercial properties today.
Fingerprints are a widely used biometric feature for scanning technologies. You see them in mobile devices, hotel rooms, card payment processing, etc. And why not? For one, they are unique to the individual. Using your own fingerprint as an unlocking mechanism offers greater security. It removes the risk of losing your keys or forgetting your passcode. It is also treated as a more accurate validation method when entering into contracts. This is also why its application in door locks makes it a more appealing and secure solution.
A fingerprint door lock utilizes an electronic locking system to gain access. It is a type of intelligent lock with which you don’t have to have a key or a magnetic card to be in your possession when entering locked premises. Instead, you will present a registered biometric fingerprint. This is done by sticking your finger on the device to verify authorized entry. It’s a convenient aspect because unlike keys, it’s impossible to lose your fingerprint.
Common features of fingerprint door locks:
- Keyless entry
You don’t have to present a physical key to unlock your door. Your registered fingerprint is all you need.
- Disable option
In case you have a meeting or any event, you can disable the fingerprint scanning function. This way you can allow unrestricted access for as long as you want. The same goes for retail stores where customers can enter without having to open the door by the registered user every time.
- Battery-operated
Most biometric locks are powered by double A batteries which allow up to 6000 scans before they are replaced. Some devices would even have a USB cable option during emergencies.
- Override key
When your device runs out of battery, you can still gain access using a backup key.
- Centralized management
You can elect an admin whose fingerprint serves as the master key. They can control the number of authorized users by registering their corresponding fingerprints. You can also revoke users by adding them to the blacklist so that they will no longer be allowed entry to the property.
- Keypad for supplemental identification
This requires both fingerprint and password on your smart lock. This will make for heightened security measures.
- LCD interface
This will display information during its install along with voice prompts. It will also show the fingerprint lock status whenever there is an attempt to unlock the device.
- High-strength material
The steel metal makes for hack-proof construction, preventing breach through a forceful entry.
- Tamper-proof, anti-jamming, anti-peep, anti-theft, anti-rust and scratch-resistant
These are features that reinforce the integrity of the device which enhances security and protection.
Other things you should consider when choosing a fingerprint door lock
- Decide on how much you want to spend for quality
While many fingerprint door locks abound the market, not all of them are the same. Buyers should realize that there is no lock that can guarantee 100% burglar prevention. However, you would want to look at its construction for starters. You may have installed one for your front entrance that’s made of flimsy metal. But this would likely fail to stop intruders from breaking into your property. A good smart lock should have durable raw materials that have been tested by third party experts. Often this would come with a price tag, but you can also find such options at a reasonable cost.
- Check the False Acceptance Rate (FAR) and False Rejection Rate (FRR) score
Biometric systems are measured by their FAR and FRR ratings. FAR refers to the rate at which unauthorised entry was erroneously accepted by the device. FRR on the other hand is the rate at which the ones that have access are rejected by the smart look. As such, you would be looking for a fingerprint door lock with the lowest FAR and FRR scores which will indicate its accuracy and performance. Keep this in mind when selecting the most optimal security system for your property.
- Determine if you want more smart features
The high-tech capabilities of fingerprint door locks can be a valuable proposition. You must note though that they should be useful for your purpose. Otherwise, you end up paying a lot for a gadget that you won’t be able to maximize the features of. For instance, you may want a remote function with WIFI in order to monitor your property even when you’re away. There are fingerprint lock systems that come with a video camera to complement this activity. But you may not need it as much when you are always in the area.
- Get one that has an alarm system
You can buy a separate alarm, but there are fingerprint door locks that have it built into its system. This way, you will be alerted immediately by failed attempts from an unauthorized user. It also includes any detected suspicious movement within your perimeter. A loud alarm would be a nice way to inform you and at the same time, can also be heard by the intruder himself to stop them in their tracks.
- You might need a fingerprint door lock that is child-proof
It may help parents with small kids and those with special needs to have a two-sided keyless lock. This can reinforce your lock from both inside and outside. As such, you won’t worry about your kids wandering when you’re not around or sneaking out of your home.
Final words
Having a fingerprint door lock in place may prove to be a step forward to better home security. Yes, getting one may be a bit more expensive than a conventional lock, but it is well worth it with its improved features and functionality. After all, there is no price for one’s safety, especially in your own domain.