How does face recognition work?
Face recognition technology analyses a facial image, extracts unique facial features, and compares them to a database of known faces to identify or verify individuals. It works by detecting a face, creating a “faceprint” (a mathematical representation of the facial features), and then comparing it to a database of faceprints.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
1. Face Detection:
Algorithms identify and isolate the face within an image, often using “bounding boxes” to mark the facial area.
2. Feature Extraction:
The system analyses the face, pinpointing key facial features like the distance between eyes, the shape of the nose and jaw, and the size of the cheekbones.
3. Creating a Faceprint:
These extracted features are combined to create a unique mathematical representation of the face, also known as a faceprint.
4. Database Comparison:
The faceprint is then compared to a database containing faceprints of known individuals to find a match.
5. Verification/Identification:
If a match is found, the system can either verify that a person’s face matches an existing profile or identify the individual by matching their faceprint to a specific person in the database.
Face recognition relies on sophisticated AI algorithms, including deep neural networks, to process images and make accurate comparisons. The technology can be used for various purposes, including time and attendance, access control, security, identity verification, and more.
Does face recognition improve security?
Yes, face recognition can improve security, particularly in access control to your premises and accessing systems and devices. It enhances security by providing a high level of accuracy in verifying identities, which is difficult to replicate compared to cards, passwords or PINs. This reduces unauthorized access and minimizes the risk of fraud and identity theft.
Here’s a more detailed look at how face recognition improves security:
Enhanced Security & Authentication:
Unique Biometrics:
Facial recognition uses unique facial features, making it harder to replicate or forge compared to traditional credentials like cards, passwords or PINs,
Improved Accuracy:
Face recognition systems can accurately identify individuals, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and minimizing human error.
Passwordless Access:
Face recognition can be used for passwordless access, offering a more secure and convenient alternative to traditional password-based authentication.
Multi-Factor Authentication:
Face recognition can be combined with other authentication methods to create multi-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security.
Real-time Verification:
Face recognition systems can verify identities in real-time, preventing fraudsters from using stolen or fake credentials. Face recognition access control systems can reduce the need for physical keycards and security personnel, leading to cost savings.
Is face recognition suitable for small businesses?
Face recognition technology offers small businesses various applications, including time and attendance tracking, enhanced security, and streamlined operations. For access control, businesses can use facial recognition to identify authorized individuals, ensuring secure entry to premises and sensitive areas. In retail, it offers a very cost effective solution for time and attendance management, especially companies with multiple distributed retail stores. It also streamlines time and attendance tracking for employees, automating the process and reducing errors for any company, from small to large.
Is face recognition suitable for medium-sized businesses?
Face recognition technology offers significant benefits for medium-sized businesses, including effective time and attendance management, enhanced security, and streamlined processes. Face Recognition systems are on par with traditional clocking systems in terms price and in some applications they are actually cheaper. Face Recognition systems have large capacity onboard memory which allows these systems to easily cater for businesses with medium to large number of employees i.e. over 3000 biometric templates.
