West Yorkshire Police – Improves Security with Photobase Fingerprint Access Control
"West Yorkshire Police needs to maintain a very high level of security at a number of locations. Last year it was decided to improve security at two sites which contained particularly sensitive areas using a more secure access control solution than the swipe card system that was currently in place.
They looked at different technologies, such as proximity cards and fingerprint biometrics. One core requirement was to provide reliable and robust access control hardware at the points of access themselves. They were also looking for tools that made it easy to implement security policy – and in particular easy to quickly change an individual’s access rights.
Also wanted was real-time tracking and reporting of activities so that they could quickly identify problematic events and respond. Along with various other criteria, it was felt that this would give the force the opportunity to maximise security, not inhibit movement, nor be prohibitively costly to support.
Touch & Go™ from Photobase was chosen as the solution that came nearest to meeting the requirements for enhanced security in these sensitive areas. In order to ensure that any evaluation process was accurate, Doncaster Prison, was visited to view the Photobase’ biometrics access control solution that has been controlling many areas of the prison for several years. The system was assessed in use and the views of the prison staff canvassed, with the results confirming that the solution proposed would perform as required.
Photobase installed the Touch & Go™ system at two WYP sites – in Wakefield and Bradford. Currently control of both sites is from one enrolment and policy management station that has enrolled about 100 people without any problems. Rights are assigned to them individually or in groups, as appropriate. The Observer module provides real-time notification of all people movements (including pop-up photographs) at any authorised PC, whilst the analysis tools permit the filtering and sorting of all movement data to assist in detailed analysis.
In addition to enhanced security, Touch & Go™ promotes devolved responsibility, with local managers able to control access rights to their areas and obtain detailed audit trails of all movements.
Photobase has worked very closely with WYP Estates department to enhance the way access control is managed. They have been very professional and efficient throughout, and as a result, WYP has achieved a successful implementation of biometric access control. It is anticipated that the Touch & Go™ system will continue to expand to other sensitive areas within the West Yorkshire Force."
Estates Department
West Yorkshire Police
July 2005 |