Introduction
Facial recognition technology expedites identification, authentication, and attendance tracking, which is why many organizations are looking to streamline their processes by installing these devices. In the Philippines, face scanners are mostly used for government registrations, company attendance, and home security, helping speed up the process of recording data and granting access.
However, while useful, biometric scanning technology becomes tricky when used without the data subjects’ consent. For instance, a sizable number of customers in a bar in Australia had their biometric information jeopardized because of a breach in the database. Fortunately, companies in the Philippines can avoid such incidents by complying with the Data Privacy Act and carefully choosing which face scanner to acquire.
If you want to ensure that your data is protected and you’re not breaking any regulations, read this article by Internet of Things Philippines Inc. to learn how to choose a device and supplier for your facial recognition technology needs.
Questions To Ask When Choosing Which Face Scanner Is Best for Your Needs
Facial recognition scanners are becoming increasingly popular in businesses nationwide because of their speed and convenience. The technology also allows for a contactless process, promoting a more hygienic user experience.
That said, you should take great care when choosing a face scanner lest you suffer financial setbacks and risk your reputation with the wrong device. Below are some of the questions to ask yourself as you search for the right technology:
Does the Product Fit the Intended Use Case?
Facial recognition technology, at least abroad, tends to overlook basic data privacy concerns, specifically when it comes to consent from data subjects. Private citizens there would enter a business establishment and risk having their facial features recorded in a database, which may later be used for marketing or legal purposes.
As such, business owners in the Philippines should clarify how they’ll use the technology and acquire devices that fit the intended use case. For example, to track attendance, a face ID scanner that uses pre-recorded facial data of consenting employees is the right device. Meanwhile, establishments that require stringent access control should purchase scanning devices with multi-factor authentication for stronger security.
Can It Accommodate the Deployment Scale?
Facial scanning technology comes in various capacities to accommodate different company sizes. For instance, many face scanners from IOT Philippines can store facial data of up to a few thousand people (equivalent to a medium-sized enterprise). In addition to knowing the exact number of users in your company, you should also consider any scaling plans and look for devices that can be updated as your business grows.
You should also consider the deployment locations. High-performing face scanners are perfect for busy work environments like factories while lower-performing ones can suffice in small offices.
Is It Precise and Accurate Enough?
Amidst fears of spoofing tactics, you should prioritize features such as precision and accuracy. The key to finding reliable face scanners is to check their confidence scores — ideally, the device should yield accuracy rates close to 100%. Studies have shown that a high accuracy score depends on the environment the technology is used. For offices, good lighting conditions and subjects standing in front of the scanner will likely be high in accuracy.
Other factors to look out for include false negative rates and false positive rates. Some machines may scan an individual and fail to match it with the existing biometric information from the database, even when the person is the legitimate owner of the data. Similarly, a few devices can authenticate a subject wrongly. As such, look for face scanners with low error scores to minimize faulty readings.
Does It Come With Advanced Facial Recognition Features?
As more organizations use face scanners in the Philippines, the possibility of threat actors exploiting the technology’s weaknesses may increase. You can prepare for such risks by acquiring devices with advanced features. Below are some of them:
- Liveness Detection – This enables the scanner to determine whether the data presented is from a live person or a spoofing tool, such as masks, photos, or videos.
- 3D Reading – This feature allows scanners to record more accurate facial nodes.
- Tamper Detection – This advanced feature detects dubious attempts, such as threat actors presenting deepfakes or fraudsters showing stolen documents.
Does It Allow Local Data Access?
Many face-scanning devices may store their databases in the cloud, which can be convenient, affordable, and space-saving. However, cloud environments with weak security might make data more susceptible to breaches. One workaround is to opt for an edge-based system instead to keep storage and access locally. This setup is doable and more secure if you run a small office with no branches and you constantly track employee attendance through face recognition devices.
Meanwhile, larger organizations may employ a hybrid infrastructure, combining cloud and edge capabilities for a centralized system while limiting access to certain data locally.
Can It Easily Integrate With My Existing Infrastructure?
Choose face scanners that your vendor can readily integrate into your existing infrastructure. This way, you won’t need to spend a lot of money updating your hardware and systems; you can make only minimal changes as necessary. A total infrastructure overhaul just for a face recognition device is not only expensive but also inconvenient and may affect parts of your systems that are already working properly and efficiently.
To confirm the device’s ease of integration, ask your vendor how they plan to set up the face scanner in your facility.
Is the Software Safe and Secure?
Face scanners come with software to record, store, and protect biometric data. Ask your vendor which software is compatible with the device you’re looking to acquire, and let them explain how the program works. Software solutions that integrate with facial recognition devices can promote more efficient processing and security of your organization’s biometric information.
Does It Fall Within My Budget?
Once you have a shortlist of devices that possess the earlier qualities mentioned, you need to determine which technologies fall within your budget allocation. To make a sound decision, determine the range of face scanners in the Philippines and estimate your budget based on the average price.
Remember not to base your selection on the most affordable option, either. Decide which device to purchase based on its features — ideally, you’d want a face scanner that efficiently serves all your needs, even if it comes at a slightly higher price tag.
Is the Supplier Knowledgeable and Transparent?
A knowledgeable and transparent supplier will be confident in answering your inquiries regarding the devices they sell. You can specifically test their knowledge by asking about the face scanner’s brand, specifications, and setup instructions. Meanwhile, you can test the vendor’s transparency by inquiring how data captured by the scanner is stored, how you can limit who can access the information, and how the supplier applies data privacy and protection regulations.
It’s better if the vendor has a website, as you can check their product specifications ahead of time.
Conclusion
Face scanners in the Philippines promote convenience and speed for organizations that require identification and authentication to monitor employees and facilitate access control. That said, not all technologies are created equal, which means buyers should ask the right questions before making any transactions. By using the inquiries in this article, customers can arrive at a sound purchase decision and minimize the risks associated with facial biometric technology.
IOT Philippines offers a range of reliable face scanners to meet your needs. Contact our experts today to learn more about our products!
