Fingerprint Biometric vs.

Facial
Recognition: Which Is Right For Time
and Attendance Systems?

As technology advances, biometric authentication methods are becoming more prevalent in our daily
lives. Two of the most popular forms of biometric authentication are fingerprint and facial
recognition. While both methods have their advantages, fingerprint biometric technology is generally
considered to be more accurate and secure than facial recognition technology.

One of the main reasons that fingerprint biometric technology is preferred over facial recognition
technology is its accuracy. False acceptance rate (FAR) and false rejection rate (FRR) are two
important metrics for measuring biometric accuracy. According to a report by the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST), fingerprint biometric technology has a FAR of 0.001%, while
facial recognition technology has a FAR of 0.1%. In other words, facial recognition is ten times more
likely to incorrectly grant access to an unauthorized person. Similarly, the same report by NIST found
that fingerprint biometric technology has an FRR of 0.01%, while facial recognition technology has an
FRR of 1%. This means that facial recognition is 100 times more likely to incorrectly deny access to
an authorized person.

In a time and attendance system, accuracy is crucial in ensuring that employees are paid fairly for the
hours they work. Fingerprint biometric technology is the obvious choice for such systems due to its
high accuracy and low error rates. Inaccuracies in a time and attendance system can lead to serious
consequences, including loss of employee trust, legal disputes, and financial losses for both
employees and employers. These issues can be avoided by using a biometric system that accurately
records employee attendance.

Furthermore, fingerprint biometric technology is generally considered more secure than facial
recognition technology. Facial recognition technology can be easily fooled by photos or videos of a
person's face, whereas fingerprint biometric technology requires a physical fingerprint to
authenticate. This makes it much more difficult for someone to impersonate another person to gain
access to a device or system. In addition to accuracy, fingerprint biometric technology is also cost-
effective and easy to use compared to facial recognition systems.

In conclusion, accuracy is essential in time and attendance systems, and fingerprint biometric
technology is the ideal solution for ensuring reliable and secure attendance tracking. Its high
accuracy, low error rates, and ease of use make it the obvious choice for businesses looking to
streamline their time and attendance processes while ensuring fair payment for their employees.
Moreover, its higher accuracy and lower error rates compared to facial recognition make it a more
secure option for authentication and access control in various harsh environments.

For more information please contact us at info@zeroslack.co.za or info@ouchgroup.com