CST Card Reader & Biometric Access 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) measure in biometric systems?
- The percentage of valid users incorrectly denied access
- The percentage of unauthorized users incorrectly granted access (Correct answer)
- The time required to process a biometric scan
- The rate at which biometric templates expire
Correct answer: The percentage of unauthorized users incorrectly granted access
FAR measures how often an unauthorized individual is incorrectly accepted by the biometric system, representing a security failure.
Question 2: In a dual-technology card reader, what is the purpose of combining two reader technologies?
- To reduce installation costs by sharing a single wire run
- To increase read range beyond 10 feet
- To require two different credential types for enhanced security (Correct answer)
- To allow the reader to function without an access control panel
Correct answer: To require two different credential types for enhanced security
Dual-technology readers require two credential types (e.g., proximity + smart card) to be presented simultaneously, significantly raising the bar for unauthorized access.
Question 3: A biometric reader is experiencing a high False Rejection Rate (FRR). The FIRST corrective action should be to:
- Replace the biometric reader entirely
- Re-enroll affected users with fresh, higher-quality templates (Correct answer)
- Lower the acceptance threshold to the minimum setting
- Switch to a PIN-only access method
Correct answer: Re-enroll affected users with fresh, higher-quality templates
High FRR is often caused by poor-quality enrollment templates; re-enrolling users with careful, high-quality scans typically resolves the issue.
Question 4: What is the purpose of 'anti-passback' in an access control system?
- Preventing a card from being used to exit before it has been used to enter (Correct answer)
- Blocking access to all doors after a security alarm is triggered
- Encrypting card data transmitted over the Wiegand bus
- Limiting the number of cards that can be enrolled per reader
Correct answer: Preventing a card from being used to exit before it has been used to enter
Anti-passback prevents a credential from being used to re-enter (or exit) a zone unless the corresponding entry (or exit) event was first recorded, stopping card sharing.
Question 5: Which power standard is commonly used to provide both data and power to networked access control readers and IP cameras?
- PoE (Power over Ethernet) (Correct answer)
- RS-485
- 12 VDC direct supply only
- UPS battery backup
Correct answer: PoE (Power over Ethernet)
PoE delivers electrical power alongside data over a standard Ethernet cable, simplifying installation of network-connected access devices.
Question 6: When installing a card reader on an exterior wall, which environmental rating should be verified to ensure outdoor survivability?
- FCC Part 15
- IP65 or higher (Correct answer)
- UL 294
- NEMA 1
Correct answer: IP65 or higher
An IP65 rating confirms the device is dust-tight and protected against water jets, suitable for outdoor or harsh environment installation.
Question 7: A card reader is mounted at a height that is inaccessible to wheelchair users. This violates requirements under which U.S. regulation?
- NFPA 72
- UL 294
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Correct answer)
- OSHA 1910
Correct answer: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA specifies maximum reach ranges for operable controls, requiring card readers to be mounted within accessible reach for wheelchair users.
CST Card Reader & Biometric Access 3
What does a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) measure in biometric systems?