Biometric vs Keycard Access: Which is Right for Your Facility?

Choosing the right security entrance solution is essential for balancing security, convenience, and cost across any commercial facility. Two of the most common options — biometric and keycard access — offer distinct advantages depending on your site’s requirements. In this article, we break down the key differences to help you make an informed decision.

What Is Biometric Access Control?

Biometric access control uses unique biological characteristics to verify identity. Unlike traditional credentials, which can be lost, stolen, or shared, biometric credentials are tied to the individual — making them significantly harder to misuse.

Common Types of Biometric Access

• Fingerprint Scanning: Still the most widely used form, particularly in offices and some gyms. It offers quick verification but can struggle in environments where users’ hands may be dirty, wet, or gloved.
• Facial Recognition: Increasingly popular in modern facilities due to its contactless nature. Particularly useful in healthcare settings or post-pandemic workplaces where hygiene is a concern.
• Iris or Retina Scanning: Less common due to cost and complexity, but used in high-security environments like data centres or critical infrastructure.

Where It’s Typically Used

Biometric systems are often deployed in:

• High-security areas requiring strict identity verification
• Facilities with high staff turnover where issuing cards is inefficient
• Environments where sharing credentials is a known risk

---

What Is Keycard Access Control?

Keycard access remains a staple in many commercial settings. Staff or authorised visitors are issued cards or fobs that grant access to designated areas when scanned at an entry reader.

How Keycard Systems Work

Keycard access typically uses one of the following technologies:

• Proximity (RFID) cards that transmit a signal when near a reader
• Magnetic stripe cards which require swiping
• Smart cards which store encrypted data and can be integrated with other systems (e.g., timekeeping, attendance)

Where It’s Commonly Used

• Offices and multi-tenant buildings
• Leisure centres and 24/7 gyms
• Schools and educational facilities
• Warehouses and logistics sites where frequent movement is common

---

Security Comparison: Which System Offers Greater Protection?

Security is often the primary driver when upgrading or installing access control. While both systems can be part of a robust setup, they help to prevent entrance tailgating.

Risks of Keycards

• Lost or stolen cards can be used by unauthorised individuals if not reported quickly
• Card sharing is difficult to detect in large organisations
• Cloning is a risk with less secure technologies like older RFID cards

Biometric Advantages

• Cannot be lost or borrowed, reducing the risk of unauthorised access
• Identity is tied to the individual, ensuring only approved personnel can enter
• Difficult to spoof or bypass, especially with liveness detection in facial or iris systems

That said, biometric systems must be implemented with care — particularly around data protection and redundancy in case of system failure.

---

Convenience & User Experience

While security is vital, your access control system must also support smooth day-to-day operations. A system that frustrates users or creates bottlenecks can impact morale, productivity, or customer satisfaction.

Keycard Convenience

• Easy to issue and deactivate
• Familiar to most users, requiring minimal training
• Cards can double as ID badges or time-tracking tools

However, users may forget or misplace cards, leading to access issues or delays — especially in 24/7 environments where on-site support may not be available.

Biometric Considerations

• No need to carry physical credentials
• Contactless options (like facial recognition) speed up entry
• Can reduce administrative overhead associated with issuing/replacing cards

On the downside, fingerprint systems can be less reliable in certain conditions (e.g., dusty warehouses or cold environments), and some users may feel wary about privacy, particularly if not properly informed.

Cost Considerations

Choosing an access control system isn’t just about the up-front expense — long-term running costs, maintenance, and scalability all play a role in determining value. Understanding the cost structure of biometric vs keycard systems can help facilities managers and business owners plan with confidence.

Installation Costs

• Biometric systems tend to carry higher installation costs due to specialised hardware and more complex integration. Facial or iris recognition systems, in particular, require high-quality cameras and dedicated processing units.
• Keycard systems are generally more affordable to install, especially for basic RFID setups. They can be easily retrofitted onto existing doors and infrastructure.

Ongoing Costs

• Biometric systems require less ongoing material cost (no cards to issue or replace), but may involve more frequent software updates and user enrolment management, particularly in high-turnover environments.
• Keycard systems come with the recurring cost of producing, replacing, and managing cards or fobs. Lost cards can quickly add up in busy facilities.

Scalability

• Both systems scale well, but:
  • Keycard systems are more modular and typically simpler to expand
  • Biometric systems require careful planning around server capacity, processing time, and database storage if user volumes are high

In short: keycard systems may be more cost-effective in the short term, while biometric systems offer longer-term savings in high-security or high-turnover environments.

---

Privacy & Data Compliance (Including GDPR)

When implementing access control, it’s vital to understand your responsibilities under data protection laws — particularly for biometric systems that collect sensitive personal data.

GDPR and Biometric Data

Under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), biometric data is considered a special category of personal data, meaning:

• You must have a lawful basis for processing it (e.g., explicit consent or vital security need)
• Data must be stored securely and only retained as long as necessary
• Individuals must be informed clearly about how their data will be used

Failing to comply with GDPR when using biometrics could expose your organisation to fines and reputational risk. This makes it essential to work with a security provider who understands compliance and can implement safeguards such as encrypted templates and access logs.

Keycard Systems and Privacy

Keycard systems are generally less sensitive from a data protection standpoint:

• The card typically contains a number rather than any personal information
• The system logs access events but doesn’t collect biometric or health data

This lower data risk can make keycard systems more appealing in schools or offices with limited in-house compliance capability.

---

Which Is Best for Your Sector?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The most suitable access control method depends on the environment, risk level, and operational needs of your facility. Here’s a quick overview:

Sector	Recommended System	Reason
Offices & Corporate Buildings	Keycard (with optional biometric for sensitive zones)	Familiar, scalable, and easy to manage visitors and staff
Gyms & Leisure Centres	Facial recognition or keycard	Facial recognition for hygiene and convenience; keycards for basic access
Warehouses & Distribution	Keycard (or fingerprint if sharing is a concern)	Cost-effective for high staff movement; biometric deters credential sharing
Data Centres & IT Facilities	Biometric	High security, individual identification, reduced insider threat
Schools & Education	Keycard	Less privacy risk, easier to manage across staff and contractors
Critical Infrastructure & Utilities	Dual-layered (keycard + biometric)	Maximum control, auditability, and compliance with regulatory standards

Hybrid Systems: Do You Really Have to Choose?

In many cases, the best solution isn’t either/or — it’s both. Hybrid access control systems combine the strengths of keycard and biometric technologies to offer enhanced flexibility, layered security, and better user management.

Common Hybrid Setups

• Keycards for general access to main areas like office floors, reception, or break rooms
• Biometric access for high-security zones such as server rooms, control centres, or executive suites
• Two-factor authentication requiring both a card and biometric scan for especially sensitive areas secured with security portals and dual-authentication setups

This layered approach allows organisations to apply different security standards based on risk level, without overcomplicating access for everyday users.

Benefits of Going Hybrid

• Stronger defence against both external and internal threats
• Better audit trails and user accountability
• Flexibility to scale and adapt as your needs change
• Compliance with industry-specific standards without sacrificing convenience

A well-designed hybrid system gives you control without compromise — and ensures you’re future-proofing your investment.

---

Still Unsure? Let’s Talk About Your Requirements

Whether you’re managing a busy logistics site, upgrading a corporate building, or securing a data centre, choosing the right access control method can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

At Matias Security, we don’t just install systems — we partner with you to understand your environment, assess your risks, and design a solution that works. From initial consultation to ongoing system management, we make access control effortless.

Book a free site assessment today or speak to one of our experts about your security goals. No hard sell — just clear, professional guidance tailored to your facility.