Technology
Facial Recognition Software: An Overview and Its Uses
Facial recognition software (FRS) is a biometric tool that matches faces in images to an existing database of identities using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
The facial recognition software may sound like advanced technology, and you may not know that you’re already using it daily. For instance, Apple iPhone users now use facial recognition to unlock their phones. Likewise, many companies are utilizing the technology for security and identification purposes. Let’s find out what facial recognition is and how businesses can use it.
Facial Recognition Software Overview
The FRS is a biometric technology that analyzes persons’ faces to match their identity. Facial recognition software is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning to scan each face and compare it against an existing database of identities.
Major industries have benefited from the rapid development of facial recognition technology over the past six decades. These include law enforcement, border control, retail, mobile technology, banking, and finance applications. Today, companies often use facial recognition to limit access of an authorized person to premises, equipment, and information.
This is how facial recognition software work:
- The first step in facial recognition is for the software to detect a face in an image, whether uploaded into the system or captured through a connected device.
- Once the software recognizes a face, it analyzes the details of the face in the images.
- The facial analysis will result in many metrics being captured that turn the image into a set of figures like a code.
- The code is then transmitted into a database of images so that the software can start to find a match.
- If a match is found, the device or computer can identify the subject in the image or verify their identity to allow access to the system or facility.
Uses of Facial Recognition Software In Businesses
More companies are embracing artificial intelligence-enabled solutions to solve specific tasks. Facial recognition software, in particular, is helpful in many ways, as listed below:
Access control
Facial recognition replaces fingerprints as a biometric reading tool for access control within companies. A camera may capture images at the door or a restricted area within the building. Then, it is matched against an employee database to ensure access is only granted to authorized personnel.
The process can also be done via a webcam to limit access to online resources. This additional security feature is essential for organizations or businesses with remote employees. As such, sensitive data is only accessible when the authorized employee is in front of the computer. The software can also protect the files if the device is stolen because the thief cannot access them.
Employee time tracking
Clocking in using biometrics is a popular option for employers today. With the traditional time clock with a PIN or punch card, an employee who is running late or wishes to leave early could ask a coworker to punch them in or out. This is sometimes called buddy punching. So, unless they have an identical twin that works in the building, that practice won’t work anymore with facial recognition time-keeping.
User Verification
Some websites use facial recognition software to verify users. For example, social media and dating apps often do a simple facial recognition verification to ensure that a photo taken through the in-app camera is the same person in the user’s profile images.
Facial recognition is also tapped by some applications like gig economy apps, investing apps, and financial services websites to verify that the user’s photo on their government identification matches their face on a live capture. Said feature prevents people from registering with stolen ID cards.
Conclusion
The use of facial recognition software is sometimes controversial. Most people have privacy issues related to facial recognition. Some employees may worry that companies will start using facial recognition to spy on them during office hours. The possibility for the data and other personal information to be sold or stolen during a breach is also an alarming concern.
Before using the software, it’s best for companies to review the vendor’s privacy and security guidelines. But in general, facial recognition software can be an excellent tool for organizations when outsourced from a reliable and secure vendor.