An electronic system utilizes a method (500) for authenticating access to a multi-level secure environment. According embodiments, the system stores (501) fingerprint data for at least one authorized human user of the system. The fingerprint data for each authorized user includes copies of fingerprints for two or more fingers of the user. Some time after storing the fingerprint data, the system senses (503) one or more fingers of an individual who is attempting to use the system and compares (505) the sensed finger data to the stored fingerprint data. When at least some of the sensed finger data matches copies of fingerprints in the stored fingerprint data, the system determines (509) a quantity of matching fingerprints. The system then determines (525) a security level for the individual based on the quantity of matching fingerprints and provides access (527) to particular functionality of the system based on the determined security level.
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