Facial Recognition Within a Business: Pros and Cons

Featured article by Rick DelGado, Independent Technology Author

Facial recognition technology (FRT) was once seen as a fictional concept. Companies would use it as a tool to eradicate crime. However, today’s technology has revolutionized facial recognition and made it a practice in everyday lives. Applications such as Amazon’s Recognition and Apple’s ID technology have made facial recognition a more realistic than fictional concept. Perhaps you have been wondering what is facial recognition and how does artificial intelligence work. It’s a biometric software that uses AI-enabled devices to map facial features mathematically to make it easier to recognize a person from a digital image. It uses algorithms to compare digital images to identify your identity. Facial recognition is similar to other identifying technologies such as voice recognition and fingerprint matching.

Facial recognition uses three approaches to recognize your identity. They include fingerprints scanning, face detection, and verification. In fact, this technology can identify critical features within a business premise to make it easier to pick out individuals even in congested worksites. You can apply facial recognition technology in many ways; however, it comes with many advantages and disadvantages depending on how you use it. Below are some of the pros and cons of a facial recognition system.

Pros

Full Automation

You can use facial identifying tech to automate your entire identification process. You don’t have to hire security guards who often use manual recognition to identify your workers. An automated facial recognition platform ensures your identification process is flawless and doesn’t halt. Moreover, you won’t need someone to monitor your surveillance cameras. Automation will ultimately translate into more convenience and reduced costs of operation.

Improved Security

One of the ways to improve your security measures is to invest in a biometric face system. It makes it easier to protect your business as you can track anyone that comes into your business premises. The system will alert you immediately it captures an image of anyone that doesn’t have permission to access your facilities. It’s an excellent way for entrepreneurs to keep their clients and assets safe by avoiding troubles with unpleasant trespassers. You will receive instant notification as soon as a suspicious character comes into your facilities. That helps save a lot of money you would have spent on security staff.

High Accuracy

Over time, the success of biometric face systems has become higher than ever before. Infrared cameras and 3D facial recognition technologies have increased the accuracy of the identification process significantly. While it is possible, it is difficult to fool a facial recognition system, so you can be sure it will track every aspect of attendance to protect your facility. Accuracy eliminates any uncool awkwardness and misunderstanding that a malfunctioned face recognition software may cause. High accuracy ensures the system recognizes everyone that visits your facilities.

Cons

Surveillance Angle

The surveillance angle often subjects your identification process under extreme pressure. It means you have to use numerous angles to enroll a face through FRT software. Moreover, you will need nothing short of a frontal view to generate a clear face template. You need multiple angles and higher resolution photos to increase the accuracy of your results. Moreover, things such as sunglasses and facial hair might cause more troubles. An intruder can fool your system with masks or removed beards.

Processing and Storage

Storage is a fundamental requirement in the digital world. An online retailer has to store a lot of data for future use. You will still need enough space to store low-quality image visuals as is the case with HD-video with pretty high resolution. You might be wasting a lot of time with your facial recognition system processing every video’s frame. You have to use a cluster of computers to minimize your processing time.

Quality

You will need super advanced software to operate your HQ digital cameras accurately. The facial recognition system usually captures a face from a video and compares it with the size of the enrolled photo. As such, the quality of the picture can impact your entire facial identification process. It’s pretty hard to identify an intruder in a case involving small size images.

by Rick DelGado, Independent Author

“I’ve been blessed to have a successful career and have recently taken a step back to pursue my passion of writing. I’ve started doing freelance writing and I love to write about new technologies and how it can help us and our planet.” – Rick DelGado