Unveiling the power of Facial Recognition Technology

January 9, 2024

While facial recognition has been around for decades, its usage has become more noticeable and accessible in recent years, particularly in innovative solutions such as mobile device authentication or passenger identification at airports.

Facial recognition, a technology based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), aims to cross-reference data and identify facial patterns to certify a person's identity, whether through images or videos.

How does this technology work?

Facial recognition operates using a system that employs algorithms and software to map patterns on people's faces. Despite variations from person to person, the human face has an unchangeable basic composition interpreted by applications as common points, varying in complexity depending on the system.

In general, all facial recognition systems follow the same principle: detecting a face in geometric and algorithmic forms and then assembling it like a puzzle. However, each facial recognition system functions differently.

The process can be classified into three basic types of technology:

1 - Detection

Detection is the process of finding a face in an image. If you've used a camera that detects a face and draws a box around it for autofocus, you've seen this technology in action. This step focuses solely on finding a face, not on identifying the person behind it.

2 - Analysis

Analysis (also known as attribution) is the stage that maps faces - typically measuring the distance between eyes, chin shape, and the distance between nose and mouth - and then converts it into a sequence of numbers or points, often referred to as a "facial print".

3 - Recognition

Recognition is the attempt to confirm a person's identity in a photo. This process is used for verification, such as in a smartphone security feature, or for identification, trying to answer the question "Who is in this photo?".

Main use cases of facial recognition systems

Here are some practical uses of face recognition technology:

Fraud prevention

Facial recognition is used by companies to uniquely identify users when creating new online accounts. This technology improves fraud detection efforts by verifying the identity of account holders when suspicious or risky account activity occurs. 

Cybersecurity enhancement

Facial recognition technology is utilized as a more secure alternative to traditional passwords and enhances cybersecurity measures. Unauthorized access to facial recognition systems is difficult because the unique features of a person's face cannot be changed. This technology is also practical and accurate for securing smartphones and personal devices.

Airport and border control

Many airports use biometric data and facial recognition as a digital passport. This allows travelers to avoid long lines and get quicker access to their gates by passing through the automated terminal. Implementing facial recognition in electronic passports not only reduces waiting times but also improves security protocols.

Logan Airport (WBZ-TV)

Banking

Individuals can easily authenticate transactions using facial recognition on their phones or computers, eliminating the need for one-time passwords or two-step verification. Facial recognition provides a safer authentication method, as there are no passwords vulnerable to hacking. Some ATM cash withdrawals and checkout registers also utilize facial recognition for secure payment approvals.

Healthcare

Facial recognition is also used in healthcare to access patient records, facilitate registration processes, and auto-detecting pain and emotions in patients. It contributes to the efficiency of healthcare facilities while maintaining security standards.

Facial Recognition and Security

Among the numerous advantages of facial recognition, increased user and company security stand out, favoring operational agility.

Furthermore, the use of this technology significantly reduces the occurrence of fraud and password theft. A common example is preventing document tampering - facial recognition mechanisms, combined with other technologies, can identify such fraud, recognizing the presented face or determining if the same document has been used with other photos.

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