What is facial recognition software?
Facial recognition software used to be fodder for sci-fi and futuristic-type movies. No one thought while watching these shows that the technology demonstrated inside would be a reality in the not too distant future. However, the time has come for more mainstream companies to implement this technology with its increased security. Facial recognition access control systems are the next step in increased security.
What is facial recognition? Facial recognition software works by creating a digital representation of a person’s facial image. It does this by closely analyzing the structure of the face using features such as the nose, cheekbones, lips, and eyes. Essentially, it creates a detailed map of the face’s angles, lines, and features, and then converts it into a file containing all the information collected during the verification process that the face was associated with the person it was added to access. . The face is mapped in detail during this process to minimize an incorrect match or false negation.
Face ID uses one of two methods to establish identity. The first is geometric where distinguishable characters are compared. The second, which is photometric, uses an analytical way of converting the features of the face into a numerical value. This value is then compared to templates stored in a database. A person’s identity is first established when they are entered into the system. The photographs are taken from several different angles to establish a clear map of the features of the face. It is then entered into the system. When the person requests access, the system will compare the value it sees with the values it knows they can access.
A great advantage of facial recognition software is that it eliminates human error to a great extent. Someone may try to convince a security guard to allow access or reproduce a key card. However, for obvious reasons, it would be difficult to duplicate someone else’s facial features. Even identical twins have subtle differences that the software detects. These subtle differences are what make the software difficult to trick or cheat. When you consider the many nuances of someone’s face, including their expressions, it becomes obvious why it would be so difficult to get past a facial recognition access control system.
Facial recognition software is a bit more expensive up front, but can offer savings in the long run. There is no need to maintain and replace access cards. Access cards can be lost or stolen, requiring more administrative maintenance, as well as the additional cost of replacing cards. Without having to have someone to maintain the cards or pay for new ones, it soon becomes apparent that the excess cost is being eliminated. In addition, access will never fall into the wrong hands due to theft or loss. When an employee leaves their employment, keys and access cards are not always handed over. Using a person’s face to gain access means business owners will never worry about where their credentials or access keys ended up. This provides a much easier way for a business to maintain security.
Identity theft has become a major concern in the modern age. Simply by gaining access to someone’s relevant information, such as date of birth and social security number, thieves can open lines of credit at will using this person’s information. This can devastate a person both professionally and financially, and often takes a long time to resolve. With the use of facial recognition software, it will become increasingly difficult for thieves to assume someone’s identity and credit rating. Many people don’t know identity theft has occurred until they start receiving bills or apply for credit themselves and are denied for excessive or bad credit. With facial identification, it would be difficult for someone other than the real person to use social security numbers or information that is not legitimately yours. Facial recognition software has many promising uses for the future. Major credit card companies are experimenting with ways to use it to establish the cardholder’s identity before they are allowed to make purchases. This minimizes the substantial losses to both credit card companies and consumers that occur each year.
Biometric security is becoming more widely available to the general public. Limited to government agencies in recent years, its implementation was simply prohibitive for most companies. Like DVD players, microwaves and other electronic devices that were very expensive in the beginning, the price of facial recognition software has started to come down, allowing more people to implement this efficient security strategy.
A facial recognition access control system can provide any business with enhanced security and minimal operating costs. This new age technology has now taken its place as the standard among preferred access security systems and is sure to continue to do so well into the future.