What is one of the three basic types of credential readers?

The correct answer is biometric. Biometric readers are one of the three fundamental types of credential readers used in electronic access control systems. These devices verify a person's identity based on unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans. This method of identification is highly secure because it relies on traits that are inherently unique to each individual, making it difficult for unauthorized users to gain access.

Biometric readers enhance security by ensuring that access is granted only to individuals whose physical traits have been previously enrolled in the system. This technology has become increasingly popular in security systems, particularly in high-security environments where traditional methods like keycards or PIN codes may not offer sufficient protection.

Other credential reader types, such as keycard readers, magnetic stripe readers, or PIN code readers, serve their purposes in varying environments but do not offer the same level of security as biometric systems. Keycard and magnetic stripe readers require the physical card to be presented, which can be lost or stolen, while PIN code systems depend on users remembering their codes, which can be forgotten or compromised.