Facial Biometry: Learn what it is, its main advantages and everyday uses.

Used around the world to combat crime, prevent fraud, reinforce public safety, and improve customer experience in a wide range of locations and industries, facial biometrics emerged with the objective of minimizing security problems around the world.

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It can currently be found in electronic signature solutions, smartphone unlocking, proof of life in public and private institutions, border controls, airlines, airports, transportation centers, stadiums, mega-events, shows, and conferences

According to data from the company Statista, the facial recognition market, estimated at around 5 billion dollars In 2021, it should grow until it reaches 12.67 billion dollars by 2028 with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

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Are you curious to know what facial biometrics is and how can it offer solid protection to the most varied digital authentication processes? Keep reading!

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What is facial biometry?

Broadly speaking, facial biometry is a face recognition technology that allows the verification and authentication of individuals based on the unique characteristics of their face. The technology uses algorithms to compare a person's facial features with an image stored in a database.

This technology, in fact, is not entirely new as many believe. Semiautomated facial recognition, for example, was developed in 1960 and, at that time, the identification of facial features in photographs - that is, in still images - still required Human performance to locate eyes, nose, and mouth, and only then can this data be used to form a person's facial pattern.

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In 1964, however, an American engineer named Woodrow Wilson Bledsoe led the development of an automated facial recognition system that used mathematical measurements to compare a person's facial features with those of a photo stored in a database.

Today, with the digital transformation and many adjacent evolutions, the tool already works with greater precision, identifying, collecting, and coding human characteristics. Its ability to be integrated with other everyday systems and applications makes it accessible and convenient for ordinary people, and can be used for Authenticate a person quickly, easily and safely: just register as the face will always be identified by the system.

What are the types of facial biometrics?

There are several types of facial biometrics, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Among the main ones, we can mention facial shape analysis, texture analysis, 3D facial biometry, iris and retinal biometry.

Therefore, choosing the best type will depend on the specific needs of your organization and application.

1) Facial shape analysis

It uses the proportions and geometry of the face to create a mathematical model. This model is compared with a face image captured during authentication to verify the correspondence. It is generally considered to be a very accurate feature but may be affected by changes in lighting or facial expression.

2) Texture analysis

Another type of facial biometry is skin texture analysis, which uses unique facial features to create a model. This model is also based on a comparison with an image captured during authentication to verify the correspondence. In this case, it is less affected by changes in lighting or facial expression, but may be affected by changes in skin texture over time, such as age or exposure to the sun.

3) 3D facial biometry

In 3D facial biometry, which uses a 3D camera to capture three-dimensional images of the face, the images are used to create a three-dimensional model of the face, which is compared with an image captured during authentication. This type of facial biometry is also less affected by changes in lighting or facial expression and makes it possible to capture more detailed information about the face.

4) Iris Biometry

Through the unique characteristics of the iris of the eyes, a person's identity is verified. This type of biometry is very specific, since the iris is highly individualized and does not change over time. In addition, iris biometry is less susceptible to falsification, since it is difficult to replicate or falsify a person's iris.

5) Retinal Biometry

Another type of biometry is retinal biometry, which uses the unique characteristics of the eye's retina to verify a person's identity. One of the biggest advantages of this method is that the retina is highly particular and does not change over time, inhibiting fraudulent activities.

How does facial biometry work?

In its essence, the facial biometric authentication process can work as follows: From an image of the face, which can be captured using a specialized camera, a comparison is made with a reference image previously captured and stored, generally during the previous registration process.

During this comparison, various facial features are analyzed, such as proportions and geometry, skin texture, and 3D features.

‍Did you know that your face has more than 80 nodal points that individualize you and are characteristics used to identify and record your “facial signature”? It's true! The face is tracked by the system, and, as in the archaic model, the computer finds the central points. They are:

• distance from the eyes;
• mouth;
• size, shape and length of the nose;
• limitation of head shape and length;
• marks and scars.

According to a study From Market Data Forecast, there is a projection that the global facial recognition market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.6% from 2024 to 2029. This shows how popular and valuable this technology is. In addition, it is worth saying that the accuracy of each type of biometry can be affected by several factors, such as the quality of the captured image and the accuracy of the software used. Only after this phase is the extracted information recorded and encoded as a form of digital authentication, since your facial impression is determined by numerous certain factors.

And what's more interesting is that geometric shapes are, in fact, metrics used to date to measure this facial illustration.

What are the advantages of facial biometrics?

One of the main advantages of facial biometry is security. With the ability to accurately recognize individuals, this technology can be used for various digital authentication processes, such as accessing buildings, systems, and networks.

In addition, facial biometrics can also be used to prevent fraud and identity theft.

Another advantage of facial biometry is the practicality. Instead of entering passwords or using cards, individuals can unlock devices and log into accounts with just a simple facial scan. This can be especially useful for people with typing difficulties or memory problems.

In addition, facial biometrics can also be used to automate hotel check-in processes, airports, and other travel locations. In the health field, facial biometrics has proven to be a valuable tool for identity verification. For example, a hospital can use technology to accurately identify patients and ensure that they receive appropriate treatment.

With the ability to accurately recognize individuals, this technology has the potential to transform multiple industries, from safety to health. As the global facial recognition market is forecast to grow significantly in the coming years, we are likely to see even more practical applications of facial biometrics in the future.

‍Types of facial biometry present in our routine

a) Facial identification at airports and police stations

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At airports, facial identification is often used to automate the check-in and boarding process. Passengers can simply go through a facial scanner and be automatically scanned. This can help reduce queues and speed up the boarding process. In addition, facial identification can also be used to track passengers with suspicious tickets or criminal records. Despite the benefits of facial identification, this technology also raises concerns regarding privacy. There are concerns that facial identification data may be used improperly or that it may be accessed by unauthorized third parties. In addition, there are concerns that the technology could be used to persecute minorities or vulnerable groups. In order to ensure privacy and security, it is important that those responsible for implementing facial identification establish clear policies and regulations to ensure that data is protected and used ethically and responsibly.

b) Bank Applications

Facial biometrics is becoming increasingly common in banking applications for the purpose of authenticating users. In fact, the adoption of this technology for authentication in digital banks is projected to grow significantly. According to a study by Financial IT, it is expected that, by 2025, more than 1.4 billion people worldwide will use facial recognition to access and use their accounts.

One of the main reasons for the growth of facial biometrics in banking applications is its high accuracy. According to the study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), it was possible to achieve an accuracy in facial biometry of about 99.5% with a single scan of the face, which is considered very high compared to other forms of authentication, such as passwords and security tokens.

Additionally, facial biometrics offers a more convenient and intuitive user experience. Instead of entering a password or entering a security token, users can place their face in front of their device's camera to be authenticated. This is especially useful for users who have difficulty typing, such as the elderly or people with disabilities.

It should be noted that facial biometrics is not completely invulnerable. In some cases, according to a survey carried out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, some facial recognition algorithms may make mistakes due to lower quality photos or videos or that present challenging environments. Therefore, the implementation of appropriate security measures and the conscious use of technology are fundamental to guarantee the safety and privacy of users.

c) Retinal and iris reading

Retinal and iris reading is an advanced form of biometrics that is increasingly being used for user authentication purposes. Some practical examples of how this technology is used include:

‍Banking Institutions: Retinal and iris scanning is used in some banks to authenticate users and authorize transactions. For example, the bank may use a retinal and iris reading system that allows users to make bank transfers and access their accounts through cash machines.

Security companies: Retinal and iris scanning can be used in some security companies to control access to buildings and restricted areas. For example, a security company may utilize a retinal and iris reading system that allows users to access buildings and restricted areas..

‍Cell phone unlocking systems: for this purpose, the front camera can be used to read the retina. This provides more security and convenience for the user, since it is a quick and secure way of unlocking. However, retinal and iris reading is more expensive and complex to implement than other forms of identification.

How does facial biometry help prevent fraud?

In fact, as stated before, facial biometrics is an excellent form of authentication when compared to less refined methods, such as passwords and tokens. That's because passwords can easily be breached or forgotten, while security tokens can be lost or stolen. Facial biometry, on the other hand, is based on the particular traits of each individual, which makes it more difficult to be tampered with. In addition, in the fight against fraud, facial biometry can also be combined with other security technologies, such as voice recognition and fingerprint recognition, implementing an extra layer of protection for your information and data.

Facial Biometry is present at Clicksign!

Facial biometry is applied to electronic signatures by capturing facial images of the user and comparing them with a previously registered image. At Clicksign, this entire process is hassle-free. The signer takes a photo of your face and a two-sided photo of your official document. Once this is done, it will be possible to compare your identity using the photo of the document and the photo taken during the signature process.

Thus, the sender who requested Facial Biometric Authentication is able to guarantee an increased degree of security when authenticating the people who are signing the document.

Incredible, isn't it? If you want to digitize your processes with all the security that technology allows, as the main companies in the market already do, in an applicable and legally valid manner, don't waste time and Try our platform now for 14 days free!