Facial Recognition Technology - The Future is Here

Science fiction literature and movies often incorporated types of facial recognition devices in order for government agents and spies to gain access to top secret places. As is usually the case, moreover, stuff that starts in science fiction becomes reality. Today, facial recognition technology, which has been in use by the military and a few federal agencies for several years, is now moving down to the private sector. There, it is seen as a solution to increase security for access of employees to confidential physical space as well as to digital files. Companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft have sophisticated facial recognition technology currently in place and available to consumers (businesses).

Forecasts and Predictions for Facial Recognition Tech

If the projections are any indication of the coming popularity of this technology, forecasters now way that this technology may very well generate as much as $9.6 billion in revenue by 2022. The biggest current growth right now has been in homeland security and border patrolling; however, it is quickly spreading to schools, public buildings and, of course, private industry. And it is projected that even Internet banking systems and retailers may ultimately be using it, in coordination with banks, to prevent fraud in the use of credit and debit cards in online purchases. Such technology is predicted to replace a really faulty and often inadequate password system.

Brief Explanation of the Technology

Almost everyone in America has been the victim of a cyber attack, either in a breach of their passwords or the theft of their credit/debit card information. Large retailers like Target and even government agencies, such as the IRS and the Defense Department, have had their systems hacked. While companies are fighting laws that would force them to reveal data breaches to their customers, they would be better served to explore new methods of preventing them. Facial recognition promises to shore up security in significant ways.

In brief, the concept is that various pre-selected points of a facial digital image are compared to an actual image when it is presented and then verified through a database. The technology relies on cameras rather than on the far more complex technologies of fingerprints, heart rates, or DNA that require sophisticated software and hardware. Facial recognition is fast and accurate, and that is the key to its incorporation by financial, retail, and government entities.

What Drives the Popularity of This Technology

The reduction of fraud and, in the case of banking institutions, compliance with federal security requirements, drives the efforts to "up" the security "game." Financial losses are beginning to get the attention of banks and retailers too, and the use of facial recognition technology can provide the verification that these groups need – verification that is convenient, efficient, and speedy for both the consumer and the organization.

Corporate espionage is also a huge driver of new security technology. Cyber-attacks from without and within are a huge concern and if assets, in the form of industrial secrets, are breached, the repercussions for profits can be devastating.

Pros and Cons

No new technology is without its drawbacks. What decision-makers have to do is weigh the pros and cons and determine which are most relevant to their needs. Here is a listing of the most common.

PROS

Accuracy: Because cameras have come so far today, (3D and Infrared), the software that now exists is just so much more accurate than earlier cameras and software. Recent testing demonstrates, for example, that these newer cameras can identify individuals even when they do not look directly into the camera and even when they have changed the colors of their eyes through contact lenses

Speed: the new cameras and the data points they analyze through the software make facial recognition processing occur with seconds, not minutes. So, whether someone is logging into work physically at a door or on his/her computer, there will be virtually no wait time.

And while not related to speed per se, there is an additional benefit that organizations have of tracking user productivity – verifying that they are still working and not having to slow the workflow by periodically re-requesting the password, as many systems currently do.

No Contact: Fingerprint identification technology has been touted as an excellent method of verification; however, there are drawbacks that are eliminated by facial recognition. When an individual has a paper cut on the finger, of when employees have to take off gloves to go through the process to get into a building, there is a slowdown. Getting smudges on the glass means cleaning off in between user's; hand lotion can impact the process. And, some employees object to placing their fingers on an object that has been touched so many times before and that may very well house germs.

Almost Fraud-Proof: No identification system is perfect, but it is almost impossible for an individual to log in as someone else, either to get through a doorway or to get onto a computer. This prevents employees from gaining access to information they should not have, and it prevents them from falsifying their hours on the job. Logging in with passwords, on the other hand, is loose and insecure. In short, biometrics cannot be falsified.

Security: This has been touched on before but it is worth repeating, especially for the workplace. Many organizations still rely on coded badges – badges which can be lost or stolen. An employee who has lost a badge can still gain access through facial recognition, and a stolen badge is of no use to someone bent on doing harm.

How far facial recognition will go relative to security remains to be seen. There is currently a new technology called Faception, recently developed, that goes beyond facial recognition. Using smart algorithms analyzing facial features and expressions combined, along with posture and stance, that claim to be able to identify individuals who may be prone to committing criminal acts. This seems a bit "Big Brotherish," but it is definitely on the horizon.

CONS

Hair: To date, there are quirks in facial recognition software relative to hair growth and styles. Men who grow facial hair or remove it and people who have their hairstyles changed will often not be recognized. The "fix" for this is to have new photos taken when such changes occur.

Weight Change: This usually has to be pretty big weight change; however, if someone is losing weight, the software will at some point fail to recognize them. Again, new photos have to be taken.

Any Major Change in Appearance: Returning from vacation with a tan can impact recognition as will sunglasses and hats that may cause shadows. In fact, any clothing that hides or shadows any part of the face will throw the system off.

Need forhigh-quality equipment: There is no point in installing a facial recognition system unless an organization is willing to go the cost of top quality cameras that can capture extremely high-quality images for placement in databases. Likewise, the software infrastructure must be able to recognize instantly, or there will be waiting time and frustration. Mediocre quality of any type may result in people who are similar I appearance being mistaken for one another. Windows 10 new face detection, for example, cannot even be fooled by identical twins

Facial recognition systems for identity and verification are probably just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. There is every reason to believe that new technologies will continue to be developed. As they are, developers will have to continue to be mindful or individual rights and privacy.