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FBI's Facial Recognition Program: Better Security Through Biometrics
The FBI's facial recognition technology is a boon for law enforcement -- and perhaps soon for enterprise and consumer security, as well
The FBI is moving ahead with a nationwide facial recognition program scheduled to be fully deployed by 2014, according to New Scientist and testimony delivered to the Senate in July. The program could lead to faster, more efficient law enforcement--but nabbing crooks after a crime is only part of the appeal. The technology also foreshadows upcoming security enhancements that will stop many offenses before they start, including several that plague businesses.
The new tools are part of the FBI's $1 billion Next Generation Identification (NGI) program, a surveillance initiative built around biometric data.
This data involves more than facial-recognition tools. Originally conceived to replace the bureau's aging fingerprint identification system, NGI also employs a 10-point fingerprint matching process that is 99% accurate. Other capabilities include the ability to deduce identities from palm prints, tattoos, and potentially even DNA.
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