By Tina D’Agostin
Before the coronavirus pandemic made its way across the world, a handful of physical access control manufacturers were working on creating a frictionless authentication process that would involve a hassle-free and touch-free experience.
Fast forward to 2022 -- where we’re fully three years into this virus that has made everyone wary of door handles and nearly every surface around them -- and you have the physical access control segment in the middle of a significant transformation.
A touchless future
Almost all physical access control companies are now working to either create or integrate touchless authentication into their systems. Technology once seen as a "nice-to-have" or complementary feature for a security system is now viewed as a "must-have" in extraordinarily high demand.
This is a technology that’s connected to everything from confirming access based on employment records, to serving as a way to permit or deny access based on vaccine requirements to enter a premise.
In a recent Global Market Estimates (GME) report, the touchless access control market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% between 2021 and 2026.
Cloud computing and AI integrated facial recognition software are expected to be one of the primary drivers of this growth in the market, as the need for touchless access control technology increases across every industry.
Facial recognition frontiers
In addition to the touchless nature of facial recognition-based security systems, companies are also beginning to realize that they can come with many added benefits.
One of these benefits would be the streamlining of traffic at building entrances, gates, or terminals. Instead of stopping and searching through pockets or purses for IDs or work badges, authorized individuals can walk in as facial authentication technology seamlessly authenticates and authorizes them.
To further prioritize the health of building occupants, mask detection technologies can be integrated into a security system. This functionality offers the ability to ensure all individuals are adhering to established safety guidelines.
Security redundancy a value-add
Importantly, the benefits of facial recognition-based access control systems go beyond a means of adding touchless authentication. This technology can also provide an added layer of security to all systems.
For instance, take a building that already has mobile access control technology for its security. Perhaps QR codes are used at the entrance to scan and authenticate that the phone, presumably the person holding it, is registered within the system. However, what if the person holding the phone isn’t?
Facial authentication can act as the second barrier and identify that the person holding the phone, ID, or work badge isn’t who the credential says they are - all without anyone having to touch anything.
TINA D’AGOSTIN serves as the CEO of Alcatraz AI, a solution paving the way for intelligent and touchless access control technology. Alcatraz AI's signature platform, the Rock, transforms security by leveraging artificial intelligence and analytics algorithms to make powerful decisions at the edge, where a person's face becomes the credential. Alcatraz’s facial authentication technology and intelligent tailgating detection enable enterprises to future-proof their security strategy by means of adding touchless authentication. The Rock is also designed to be easy to deploy on any access control system, providing an enterprise-grade security solution to protect businesses, people, and assets. To learn more, visit www.alcatraz.ai.
