How Facial Recognition Works – And Why We Don’t Store Your Face

Understanding Facial Recognition Technology

Facial recognition technology is often misunderstood. A common misconception is that systems store photographs or images of people and use those images to identify them later.

Modern facial recognition systems don’t work this way.

When a user enrols onto an Idency-supported facial recognition terminal, the device analyses key characteristics of the face and converts them into a mathematical template. This template is then used for future comparisons when the user presents themselves to the device.

What Information Is Captured?

During enrolment, the device measures and analyses unique facial characteristics such as:

• The distance between the eyes
• The shape and position of facial features
• The contours and proportions of the face
• Other biometric reference points

These measurements are processed by the device’s biometric algorithm and converted into a digital template.

The original image used during enrolment is not required for future recognition.

What Is Actually Stored?

The device stores an encrypted biometric template.

This template is:

• Randomised and encrypted
• Mathematical in nature
• Designed solely for matching purposes
• Not a photograph or image
• Not human-readable

Think of it as similar to a password hash. Information goes in, a secure mathematical representation comes out, but the original information cannot be reconstructed from the stored data.

Can Someone Recreate My Face From The Stored Data?

No.

The biometric template is a one-way representation of facial characteristics. While the system can compare a live face against the stored template to determine a match, it cannot reverse the process and recreate the original face, photograph, or image.

In practical terms:

• A face can be converted into a template
• The template can be used to verify identity
• The template cannot be converted back into a face

Even if someone gained access to the stored template, they would not be able to reconstruct a photograph or visual image of the individual.

Do The Devices Store Photographs?

No.

Idency-supported facial recognition devices do not store photographs of users for identification purposes.

The system stores only the encrypted biometric template generated during enrolment. The template contains the mathematical data required for recognition but does not contain an image of the person.

How Recognition Works Day-To-Day

When a user presents themselves to the device:

1. The device captures a live image of the face.
2. Facial characteristics are analysed in real time.
3. A temporary biometric template is created from the live scan.
4. The temporary template is compared against the stored template.
5. If a match is found, the user is authenticated.

The live image is used only for the recognition process and is not retained as part of the biometric template.

Why Use Facial Recognition?

Modern facial recognition offers several advantages over traditional authentication methods:

• Fast and contactless authentication
• No cards, fobs, or passwords to forget
• Reduced buddy punching and time fraud
• Excellent performance for manual workers where fingerprints may be worn or difficult to read
• Reliable operation in both indoor and outdoor environments

Today’s facial recognition technology is significantly more accurate and reliable than older biometric methods, making it the preferred choice for many workforce management and access control applications.

Privacy By Design

Facial recognition systems supplied and supported by Idency are designed with privacy and security in mind. The biometric data stored is limited to encrypted mathematical templates used solely for authentication purposes.

No photographs, images, or visual representations of individuals are stored as part of the facial recognition process.

Biometric Statements Available

At Idency we provide Biometric Statements to our customers that describe the above for each of our devices, so they can give assurance to their employees of the process. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss these with us.