The Lowry Security Solution
 Security systems that rely on identifying people and authorizing their access to secure facilities with physical tokens, such as ID cards or badges, have been in common use for many years. Unfortunately, ID cards can be all too easily lost, stolen, lent, or forged — even those with embedded data that allow access to electronically-secured areas.
Now, Lowry Computer Products and Labcal Technologies have joined forces to develop and deploy an identification system that is nearly impossible to forge and can’t be used by anyone other than its rightful owner, but that is still very easy to install, use, and administer.
The system works by wirelessly tapping into a computer database and retrieving the cardholder’s photo, fingerprint and pertinent data to cross check authenticity. If there is any doubt regarding the cardholder’s identity, a conclusive check can be made by using a single fingerprint reader built into the device.
Many types of facilities can benefit from the system’s accuracy, efficiency and reliability:
- Military bases. Systems installed at guard posts help control access to the base and affirm cardholder’s identity and reason for entry.
- Industrial complexes. Systems installed at entry areas help security personnel control access to restricted areas.
- Airports. Systems installed help airport security personnel to control access to planes and runways by maintenance crews, food service providers, luggage carriers, etc.
- Corporate offices. Systems installed in entry and reception areas enable security guards to track employees and their access to different departments and locations.
- Government facilities. Systems installed within government facilities help to confirm the identity of military personnel and visitors, as well as confirm their level of security clearance.
- Commercial ports and harbors. Systems installed at port entries help security personnel control access to restricted areas.
- Emergency response. Biometric security systems can immediately be deployed by state and local governments following a catastrophic event, to identify and screen on-site emergency personnel.
Biometrics makes it work.
The critical component that makes the Lowry system so secure is that it uses biometric technology to positively identify everyone who is registered with the system. By recording and then comparing fingerprints, security personnel can be confidently certain that the person asking for admittance is who they claim to be.
Using the latest technology, a fingerprint taken at the gate is instantly compared with the stored fingerprint from the person on the ID card. If they match, the system makes a positive identification. All security personnel need to do is scan the bar code that is on the ID card and ask for a fingerprint. The Lowry system does the rest.
Naturally, there are photos to look at as well. There is a photo on the ID card itself, and another one stored in the system. Both photos must match each other and must be of the person at the gate. On top of that, the system also knows what car(s) this person could be driving — giving security guards one more level of verification.
Real-time information removes the doubt.
Once the person is identified, the security guard has a second question to consider. Different people are allowed to go to different areas. Furthermore, some people are only allowed access at certain times. As with knowing who someone is, knowing where someone can go and when he or she can go there is just too much to remember. Fortunately, the Lowry system has that taken care of.
Each authorized person has his or her own file on the system. It holds the information about where and when they can be admitted within the facility. The permission file is read when the bar code on the ID card is scanned. The guard knows immediately whether this person is authorized to enter and when. The result: a shortened screening process and dramatically improved security.
Mobility makes it practical.
This entire system would be a lot less convenient if security guards were tethered by a long wire connected to the scanner. Fortunately, the Lowry system is mobile. The guard carries a wireless hand-held terminal that can scan bar codes and read fingerprints. The hand-held terminal talks to the wireless network — protected by FIPS-140 security. A security guard can walk around a car or go wherever needed without losing the ability to verify someone’s identity. For added security, the hand-held terminal operates within a limited distance, making it difficult to attack the security system if the unit is lost or stolen.
Multilingual capability reduces errors.
Security personnel stationed around the globe will often be trained to use the system. Some of them may not be particularly fluent in English, and many of them won’t speak English at all. Inability to properly read the display could lead to breaches in security. To prevent this, the system can be programmed to display information in any desired language, resulting in more accurate identification, faster processing, and greater confidence in the overall security.
To learn more about Lowry security systems, contact us today at 800-733-0210.
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