{"id":2224,"date":"2018-08-09T14:00:46","date_gmt":"2018-08-09T18:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timothydimoff.com\/?p=2224"},"modified":"2018-08-09T14:00:46","modified_gmt":"2018-08-09T18:00:46","slug":"is-facial-recognition-technology-a-good-idea-to-make-schools-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timothydimoff.com\/2018\/08\/09\/is-facial-recognition-technology-a-good-idea-to-make-schools-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Facial Recognition Technology a Good Idea to Make Schools Safe?"},"content":{"rendered":"
East of Niagara Falls, NY the Lockport school system<\/a> is allowing advanced security measures to keep their schools safe this year. Facial recognition technology will be used to check each face entering school buildings against a database of expelled students, sex offenders and other possible troublemakers. However, it is being implemented under pointed criticism and scrutiny.<\/p>\n What some deem as a great option to prevent potential violence, others see as a gross violation of privacy and civil rights. This leads to the question, is facial recognition technology a good idea to make schools safe? Maybe, but only with proper planning, implementation and management.<\/p>\n Facial recognition technology<\/a><\/u> is part of biometrics. Essentially, it uses biological data (e.g. unique features, aka \u201clandmarks\u201d, geometric proportions of facial features, distance between key facial features, and skin surface texture) and electronically stores them as essential elements of an individual\u2019s face. This data is then compared with the biological data of scanned faces for facial recognition and identification.<\/p>\n To date it has primarily been used for security and law enforcement purposes in order to:<\/p>\n When applied to school access points, the most notable benefit is stopping individuals flagged with deviant, violent or undesirable behavior from gaining access to school property. While this sounds good, just like all elements of security it should not be considered the end-all to keep our schools safe from violence.<\/p>\n Like most technological advances, there are limits that need to be noted. First and foremost, in order to flag someone the biometric data for that individual must reside in the database. If not, there is no way to \u201ccatch\u201d them when their face is scanned at the door.<\/p>\n There are other shortcomings to consider that cause false identification or missed identification including:<\/p>\n Advanced systems plan for and implement safeguards to work around these kinds of limitations. But as the system becomes more sophisticated, so too does the cost and maintenance efforts to account for the potential nuances of everyone\u2019s biometric data.<\/p>\n Facial recognition technology also raises a bigger question: is there a point where keeping schools safe has the right to compromise personal privacy? This is what each school system must consider and decide upon before implementing facial recognition technology.<\/p>\n There is no perfect answer to the facial recognition safety vs. privacy debate. Overall facial recognition should be deemed an enhancement to existing school security. It should not be treated as the \u201cend all\u201d to keep violent or potentially violent individuals outside academic buildings.<\/p>\n As stated above, the technology is only as good as the biometric data stored within the database. It is important to note, Biometric data should NEVER be \u201ctaken\u201d and stored without the explicit consent of an individual. Specific guidelines must also be established regarding:<\/p>\n In my opinion, facial recognition technology does have the potential to prevent violence on school property. But, we must be mindful and organized when planning this type of security measure. Security involves more than simply searching and\/or scanning property\/persons.<\/p>\n Effective security includes proper staff\/student training<\/a><\/u> and physical property assessments, in addition to the implementation of security enhancements and personnel. In other words, a many-faceted approach is needed to keep our schools safe. Facial recognition can be a significant, preventative additon to school security when handled properly.<\/p>\n Tim Dimoff\u2019s engaging and thought-provoking presentations<\/a><\/u> are sure to enlighten, inform and move you into taking action on such critical issues as workplace risks, substance abuse, security and societal threats. Feel free to contact<\/a><\/u> Tim today to speak at your organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" East of Niagara Falls, NY the Lockport school system is allowing advanced security measures to keep their schools safe this year. Facial recognition technology will be used to check each face entering school buildings against a database of expelled students, sex offenders and other possible troublemakers. However, it is being implemented under pointed criticism and scrutiny. What some deem as a great option to prevent potential violence, others see as a gross violation of privacy and civil rights. This leads to the question, is facial recognition technology a good idea to make schools safe? Maybe, but only with proper planning,<\/p>\nWhat is Electronic Facial Recognition?<\/h2>\n
Benefits<\/h3>\n
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Limits<\/h3>\n
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Safety vs. Privacy<\/h2>\n
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Timothy Dimoff \u2013 Speaker, National Expert, Author<\/h2>\n