Page 20 - Security Today, September/October 2022

Facial recognition solutions are also getting smarter in ad- dressing fundamental risks. For example, advanced new anti- spoofing technology employs 3D structured light and RGB based algorithms to ensure user liveliness. As a result, devices with anti- spoofing technology cannot be fooled by pictures or images of enrolled persons. This also prevents bad actors from gaining ac- cess to protected areas, and virtually eliminating the risk of false- positive results.
Workforce Management
While facial recognition technology is most commonly associated with access control, its application as a workforce management tool is gaining traction at a rapid pace. Biometric facial recogni- tion solutions are ideal for time and attendance applications for many of the same reasons as access control. Buddy punching, wherein an employee asks a colleague to “clock-in” or “badge- in” on their behalf, is a frequent problem of traditional time and attendance solutions - a problem that often goes undetected and negatively impacts an organization’s bottom line. Since facial rec- ognition with anti-spoofing technology requires the authenticat- ing user to be on site, buddy punching is rendered impossible.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Great Resignation has led to drastic changes in the workforce and the workplace. Hybrid work models are more common than ever, posing signifi- cant challenges for access, reporting, and time and attendance purposes. With legacy access systems, if a new employee or a contingent worker is enrolled, they must receive physical access credentials, often without highly defined restrictions. If the em- ployee is terminated, their physical credential must be terminated as well. Often physical access is not revoked or done so in a timely manner, creating a threat to employees and assets.
Constantly issuing and revoking physical credentials is both costly and inefficient. Facial recognition negates such complica- tions. With facial recognition systems, administrators can grant and revoke access instantly without worrying about stocking physical credentials, mailing them out, or any other administra- tive tasks required of a remote workforce. Smart biometric sys- tems go as far as integrating with additional, existing business systems such as Human Resources, ensuring attendance and pay- roll functions are always accurate.
Effective facial recognition solutions also function as viable visitor management solutions. Unlike legacy access systems or paper logs, facial recognition systems allow guests to register for, request, and receive touchless access to a facility prior to arriv- ing on-site. Once an administrator receives a self-provided photo from a visitor, access can be remotely granted. Once the visitor arrives, they need only approach the unmanned entrance and present their face to the biometric unit to receive access. This self- enrollment feature is touchless and frictionless, saving organiza- tions from laborious tasks and providing real-time visitor records.
Health Safety Applications
Pre-pandemic, biometrics facial recognition solutions were ahead of the curve, creating a touchless user experience that can help re-
duce the spread of germs on common touch surfaces. At the height of the pandemic, stand-alone facial recognition solutions acknowl- edged for their accurate mask detection and occupancy counting capabilities. These solutions were quickly integrated with existing access systems, ensuring individuals entering a controlled area are equipped with the proper protections without exceeding any im- posed occupancy limitation. Locations ranging from restaurants to airports deployed biometric facial recognition solutions to help maintain health safety protocols and mitigate liabilities; capabili- ties that will most surely last far beyond the pandemic.
Organizations are now increasingly looking to deploy bio- metric facial recognition readers to maintain safe and healthful workplaces. A frictionless solution, facial biometric readers en- sure fast throughput to keep people moving, which is especially important during peak hours and shift changes at large facilities. No more crowding in front of conventional card or proximity readers as employees look for their credentials. Although these delays account for only a few seconds per incident, the impact on productivity can be extreme when factored across hundreds or thousands of employees experiencing delays every day over the course of a year and beyond.
Implications for Systems Integrators
As end users stand to benefit from new biometrics facial recogni- tion readers for mainstream applications, so do systems integra- tors. Offering high-performance, high-value biometrics biometric solutions provide a viable path to new streams of revenue as the demand for these devices continues to increase exponentially. Smart biometric facial recognition readers also enable systems in- tegrators to offer remotely managed services such as cloud-based access management, detailed reporting functions, and mobile user enrollment. Such services directly equate to increased recur- ring monthly revenue (RMR) opportunities for integrators and sustained growth and profitability.
Systems integrators previously limited to installs in small to me- dium businesses can now offer biometric facial recognition readers as a system enhancement for larger enterprise level systems. Prime targets include healthcare, higher education, corporate campuses, factories, and other organizations that manage large numbers of identities where the demand for highly accurate, multi-purposed solutions are in demand. Similarly, integrators can also access many SMB operations priced out of reliable biometric solutions.
The mainstream acceptance of high-performance, high-value biometrics facial recognition devices shows no signs of slowing. Today’s plug-and-play solutions provide an affordable, fast, and pragmatic solution for mainstream applications, beyond even those discussed here. Look to such solutions as the new benchmark for personal identification and authentication appli-
cations beyond traditional physical security for myriad business intelligence applications.
Brad Donaldson is the vice president, Computer Vision and general manager at SAFR from RealNetworks.
20
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 | SECURITY TODAY
COVER STORY