College acquires cutting-edge face recognition technology

Smile, you’re on “Candid Camera”—but be prepared for a twist: the camera may actually recognize your face.

Facial recognition firmware (hardware and software) is the latest addition to biometrics, security technology that can scan your physical attributes and store the information in a computer database.

Security Engineering and Administration Technology, the College’s newest program, will soon become the first, and only, program in East Tennessee to offer instruction in biometrics.

The College hosted a Media Day demonstration August 7 to showcase the face recognition firmware to area news media. Staff from WBIR, WATE and WVLT television stations and the Knoxville News Sentinel visited the campus for the event, which was arranged by Community Relations and coordinated by John Sterling, SEAT program coordinator.

Beginning fall semester, SEAT will provide instruction in biometric technology as part of its associate’s degree curriculum, using firmware just purchased from 3VR Security.

To achieve facial recognition, biometrics uses a video management system to track motion. It then uses mathematical rules to determine an individual’s facial features.

The data can be used for numerous security applications, including identifying individuals entering a school or public gathering. The SEAT curriculum also addresses the legal and ethical questions about privacy and data sharing raised by this evolving technology.

As more public and private businesses use biometrics, the demand for trained technicians will also grow. SEAT graduates will be prepared to fill the need.

"Inside Pellissippi" is a bi-monthly electronic publication produced by the Community Relations Office for the faculty and staff of Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990. All suggestions and comments should be sent to Julia Wood (jwood@pstcc.edu).

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