What is PD CEN/TS 17261 - Biometric authentication for AACE about?
PD CEN/TS 17261 addresses biometric recognition systems that are used as part of an automated access control system (AACE) to provide a second and independent authentication factor of the individual using the AACS to access secured areas of critical infrastructure.
PD CEN/TS 17261 specifies requirements for biometric recognition systems to be used as part of an AACS for critical infrastructure.
PD CEN/TS 17261 describes a methodology for the evaluation of biometric authentication for AACSs against the specified requirements.
Products that meet the requirements of PD CEN/TS 17261 comprise biometric sensors, external to the secured area, which reads the biometric characteristics of the user at the point of access and a biometric server system performing biometric enrolment, signal processing, storage of biometric references and biometric comparison within a secured area.
Note 1: PD CEN/TS 17261 does not address AACS or AACS portals (turnstiles) but is only concerned with the biometric components which integrate with the AACS.
Note 2: PD CEN/TS 17261 does not consider access by the general public, e.g. passengers in an airport, or visitors to a hospital.
Who is PD CEN/TS 17261 - Biometric authentication for AACE for?
PD CEN/TS 17261 on Biometric authentication for AACE is useful for:
- Biometric verification authorities
- Biometric technology operators
- Entities that use authentication for their business
- Software engineers/IT firms
Why should you use PD CEN/TS 17261 - Biometric authentication for AACE?
Biometric authentication is a security process that relies on the unique biological characteristics of individuals to verify they are who they say they are. Biometric authentication systems compare physical or behavioral traits to stored, confirmed, authentic data in a database.
PD CEN/TS 17261 is concerned with the performance-based testing of biometric authentication for AACS, in particular for physical access control to controlled areas of critical infrastructure.
PD CEN/TS 17261 addresses AACS operating in an internal environment constituting part of a larger site, where biometric authentication is used as a second authentication factor working independently of authentication by token or proximity card.