Why a Biometric or Fingerprint Safe?

Why would you want to have a safe that will open only to your fingerprints? Is it really any more secure than any other safe? Before I discuss that, I’ll briefly review what biometric means.

The word can be broken down into two root words that explain it all. Bio – meaning life or living and metrics – meaning measurements. Biometric then is the measurements of something that is living.

In regards to security systems the target of the measurement is usually a person. Biometrics can be used uniquely indentify a person by recording certain attributes.

Fingerprints are probably the most common as they have been used for decades to indentify people. Fingerprints are most useful because they are unique and they are easily accessed. Other things such as retina scans and palm prints could also be used. Voice recognition is also a biometric but may not be as secure since high quality recorders can be used along with software programs to recreate a voice.

Low cost security can be achieved with fingerprint biometric technology. There are a number of safes that use this but it is interesting that you don’t find them on many higher end safes. In a discussion I had with a safe wholesaler, he said that they don’t carry them because they fail too often. It isn’t that they let in the wrong person, but that they fail to recognize an enrolled user. Smudges on the reader, lighting, and other things cause problems. Of course, you won’t hear this from the people who manufacture them. They will simply explain that you must keep the readers clean as well as record more than one of your digits in case you have a cut or bandage that prevents you from opening your safe.

Back to my original question, why do you want to use a biometrics lock to secure your safe? First of all, the technology is cool! You have the money to spare since they cost more. Yes, they are secure. The likelihood of someone being able to fool the reader is very remote, regardless of the TV shows that show it happening. Probably the best reason is that you don’t have to memorize a code. Compared to a manual dial, they are so much faster that it almost pays for the time saved. However, compared to a digital electronic lock, they are sometimes even slower.

Finally, realize that a clever burglar isn’t going to fool around trying to defeat a biometric lock. He will use his other tools to saw your safe in two, demolish it with a crowbar and sledge hammer, or use some other violent but quick way to get in.