Security and privacy are critical aspects of any institution. Heads of institutions wants to ensure that their premises are as safe and secure as possible, without any unwanted visitors roaming around. Governments and security agencies around the world are using facial recognition software to track down criminals and terrorists. Facial Recognition Technology has been widely used for different purposes, and all security professionals should at least be aware of this.
Facial Recognition is a technology that is capable of identifying a person by scanning and reading certain facial features. The technology has come a long way and now has various applications in mobile platforms, robotics, and even matters of national security.
There are two traditional ways that are used for facial recognition. The first method is where algorithms identify faces by first extracting the facial features from an image of the subject’s face. In this method, the algorithm analyzes the facial features, such as the relative position, size, shape of the nose, ears, cheeks, and lips. The second method is to use a compressed probe image, which contains all the necessary data to recognize the face of a certain person. The probe image is compared to the available face data to recognize the required face out of the data pool.
3D Recognition is another technique used for facial recognition. In this method, 3D sensors are used to record the facial features with more details, such as the structure of the shape, spots, contour of the eye socket, chin, nose, etc. The additional advantage of 3D face recognition is that it is not dependent on light, like the other methods. This method allows the facial features to be scanned in different lighting and a wide range of viewing angles, thus increasing the precision in the process, making it more reliable and usable in different conditions.
There are some other ways used for facial recognition, such as Skin Texture Analysis, Thermal Cameras, and a combination of different techniques (3D Face Recognition + Skin Texture Analysis).
Facial recognition has a wide range of applications, some of which include:
- Mobile Applications: There are many mobile apps that use face recognition for different purposes, such as Snapchat, which uses facial recognition to add a new filter that can change the way you look. Similarly, there are many other mobile apps that utilize this technique to improve their services.
- Face ID: Unlocking your phone with your face is nothing new, but Apple has completely changed the game with their precise Face ID feature.
- Security Services: Various Police and National Security Agencies around the world use facial recognition systems to track down criminals and identify suspects.
- Biometric Attendance: In big companies and government agencies, various biometric scanners and cameras are used to automatically mark the presence of employees or any certain individual.
In conclusion, facial recognition technology has come a long way, and we should acknowledge its potential and its capabilities. The technology has various applications and has the potential to revolutionize the way we live, work, and interact with technology. With the right implementation, we can ensure that our security and privacy are protected while also reaping the benefits that facial recognition technology has to offer.
