What type of access control technology uses unique physical attributes for authentication?

Biometric systems utilize unique physical attributes for authentication, making them distinct in the realm of access control technologies. These systems are designed to recognize individual users based on inherent characteristics such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris patterns, or voice patterns. The core principle behind biometrics is that each individual possesses unique biological traits that can be measured and compared for identity verification.

This technology offers high security and convenience, as users do not need to remember passwords or carry multiple keys. Instead, the system scans the user's biometric feature at the point of access, comparing it to the stored data to confirm identity before granting access. By relying on something that is intrinsic to the user, biometric systems help mitigate risks associated with lost or stolen access credentials.

In contrast, card-based systems, keypad systems, and key fobs rely on something that is potentially transferable or can be forgotten. For instance, card-based systems depend on physical cards that can be lost, stolen, or duplicated, while keypad systems require users to remember and input codes, which can also be compromised. Key fobs, although secure, operate similarly to card-based systems, relying on a physical device rather than an unreplicable biological attribute.