5 ways facial recognition can secure commercial facilities

Needless to say, biometrics are the “what you are” factor in access control. Different biometrics solutions in the market today include fingerprint scan, iris scan and facial recognition. Among them, facial recognition is picking up steam due to its various benefits.
 
“Facial recognition can make use of biometric technology that analyzes the characteristics of a person’s face with images recorded from a surveillance video camera. This component of security provides instant alerts and feedback and leaves the subjects entirely unaware of the process,” said a recent blogpost by Umbrella Technologies. “Any commercial facility looking for a great way to enhance security can find the right solution through integrating facial recognition, great for office buildings, hospitals, dispensaries, and so much more.”

That said, the post mentions five ways with which facial recognition can help secure commercial facilities, and they are summarized as follows.
 

Integration with existing video surveillance systems

 
Used in key areas like entrances or check-in lobbies, facial recognition can be a great asset when integrated into the user’s existing video surveillance system, the post said. “It is great for environments with large crowds in constant movement. This solution will capture a culprit’s identity with ease and is essential to any high-traffic facility like schools, airports, shopping centers and stadiums,” it said. “The software matches faces taken from real-time video. Through a database of previously stored images of faces you can categorize the faces in the database based on your identification needs.”
 

Incorporation with access control

 
According to the post, today’s facial identification technology can be used as a full entry system and grants entry for users in lieu of a key fob or a card. “Through use of a database with previously stored images, real time facial recognition software is able to grant or deny access to private areas and also detect unauthorized individuals,” it said. “Fast and accurate identification validation has been made possible through facial recognition and has ultimately improved the security and check-in efficiency of many commercial facilities.”
 

Method of customer service

 
The use of facial recognition software allows the algorithm within the security system to send out an alert when it identifies particular individuals from a predetermined list, the post said. “The system can signal the presence of shoplifters or potential terrorists, as well as recognize VIP customers who you may want to receive,” it said. “Along with that, this technology can ultimately condense transaction time and lead way to face-based payments.”
 

Employee accountability

 
According to the post, a significant benefit of facial recognition technology is time attendance tracking. “This prevents time fraud among employees, which means coworkers cannot clock each other in and out since everyone would have to pass a face scanning device to clock-in and out for work,” it said. “Though it is important for facility leaders to trust their employees, they should still be wary of any possible poor employee morals. Time fraud is one of the most common violations of work ethics, and fortunately facial identification can completely prevent that.”
 

Visitor management

 
Facial recognition is one way to create a great first impression to visitors and guests, the post said. “The visitor check-in process has been made quick and simpler, avoiding all types of backups and inconveniences,” it said. “Facility premises will have increased protection through being able to track both the employees and any visitors that enter the area. Any person without access or permission to enter the facility will be captured by the recognition system and an alert will be sent, noting that a trespasser has been detected.”