Security with biometrics, ekey fingerprint scanners
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How secure is an ekey fingerprint access solution? to frequently asked questions

ekey products guarantee the very highest standard of security against misuse and unauthorized access to the access control system. During the development, design, and production of its products, ekey has considered the following recommendations and guidelines: • Recommendations of the German Federal Office for Information Security, www.bsi.bund.de • Recommendations of the VdS Schadenverhutung GmbH (German-based institution for corporate security) on access control systems, www.vds.de

Are you interested in an ekey fingerprint access solution? At ekey, we have been developing fingerprint access solutions for unrivaled convenience and maximum security in businesses and homes since 2002. Our technology is used successfully in all kinds of fields and is constantly being developed and adapted for use in new applications. This high level of long-term commitment makes us Europe‘s market leader and demands top quality day in, day out. We want this quality standard to be reflected in the information we provide as well, so we have compiled this brochure containing answers to the...

Will my fingerprints be stored in the ekey fingerprint scanner? No. ekey does not store any fingerprints. The biometric features of the original fingerprint, such as unique points, line ends, forks in the lines, etc. are used to produce a pattern (template). This template is converted into a unique binary number code by means of an algorithm developed in house. It is then stored and used each time for comparison. wm run .hwvn r//////i m //////in i n mini hum//////// i u\ /////II vvvwv////i// u 7/ / >l AV^*/////J III '7/11111 \\S=2^'///III ii iiiaw II lliv\\>5»^/

No. The stored number code cannot be converted back into a fingerprint. It is therefore impossible to reconstruct the original fingerprint.

Is it possible to take a fingerprint from a glass, for example, and use it to make a fake finger to open a door? Creating a usable fingerprint is virtually impossible and would involve an enormous amount of work. With enough criminal efforts, plus expert knowledge and the ideal laboratory conditions, the features could be transferred to a fake finger. So it is possible in theory, but is extremely unlikely in practice.

What is “live finger detection”? ekey fingerprint scanners use RF sensor technology (radio waves) to check the nature of the skin in order to differentiate between living and dead tissue. The ekey fingerprint scanner must recognize the tissue as “live“ before a data comparison is carried out. It is therefore not possible to dupe the fingerprint scanner with a photo or a fingerprint left on an object.

Do you know the false acceptance rate? This rate describes the likelihood of a security system granting access to someone who does not have authorization. For ekey fingerprint scanners, this rate is 1 : 10 million -provided that the fingerprints were enrolled correctly. By way of comparison: our fingerprint scanners are 1,000 times more secure than the 4-digit PIN code for your bank card. If, on the other hand, you take the fingerprint sensor on your smartphone, the false acceptance rate is surprisingly high. To be precise, it is over 200 times higher than that of an ekey fingerprint...

Can a door open itself when there is a power failure? No. Power failures will not trigger an impulse to open the door on an ekey fingerprint access solution. This opening impulse can only be triggered by an authorized and – as we already know – live finger.

The power is out: how can I open my door? For dark moments like this, we offer a UPS – uninterruptible power supply – for our access solutions. This will supply power to the fingerprint scanner, control panel, and motorized lock for several hours. Alternatively, of course, you can also use a key.

Can the ekey fingerprint access solution be tampered with from outside in order to open the door? No. The system cannot be tampered with from outside. Nor can it be influenced by force, because the fingerprint scanner and control panel are physically separate. The opening impulse is emitted from the control panel in the protected interior area. Incidentally, the system cannot be tampered with via the Internet either, because it does not have an Internet connection.

Can the system be tampered with by replacing the fingerprint scanner? The fingerprint scanner and control panel are “coupled“ together during the activation process and their communication is encrypted. The user data that is entered is stored with the serial number of the device and therefore cannot be transferred to another device. If the devices are replaced, the control panel and fingerprint scanner must be reset to the default settings and “recoupled“. This requires access to the protected interior area where the control panel is located. In addition, all of the user data must be...

How secure is the connection between the smartphone/tablet, fingerprint scanner and control panel? To establish the connection between the smartphone/ tablet, fingerprint scanner and control panel, we use the "Bluetooth Secure Simple Pairing" process. All data is encrypted before being transferred between the devices.

What happens if I lose my smartphone/tablet? When the app is opened, a security code of between 4 and 6 digits must be entered. This means that the app cannot be started by an unauthorized person. If you lose your smartphone/tablet, you can use a different smartphone/tablet to restore the connection to the fingerprint scanner using the ekey home app and the configured admin coupling code.

Are there hidden access authorizations for the manufacturer stored in the system? No. There is no option (factory code, etc.) for the door to be opened by an engineer stored in the system. The owner (who is also the administrator) is the only person who can reset the system to the default settings using the 6-digit administrator code that he himself has set.