TESTIMONY OF

Dr. Joseph J. Atick
President and Chief Executive Officer

Visionics Corporation
http://www.faceit.com

"Computerized Facial Recognition: A Technology with Broad Range of Real-World Applications."

Presented Before

The U.S. House of Representatives

Committee on Banking and Financial Services

May 20, 1998.

Introduction

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you the latest innovations in computerized facial recognition. Face Recognition is a recent addition to the family of biometric technologies but it already boasts an impressive array of real-world applications. The company I represent – Visionics Corporation based in New Jersey—is the leading developer in this area and its technology – the so called FaceIt® engine--enables systems for combating identity fraud, airport security, automated border crossing, information security, automated teller machines, and physical access control systems.

Face recognition is among the most fundamental human perceptual capabilities. We recognize friends and foes from their faces. But until recently computers were unable to reproduce this basic human capacity. In the late 1980’s and early 1990s ---thanks to funding of basic research by several agencies including the Office of Naval Research, the INS, and DARPA--- the U.S. scientific community made some significant breakthroughs in understanding how the human brain performs facial recognition. Subsequently, these basic discoveries became the foundation for the commercial development of computerized facial recognition systems such as the FaceIt® technology.

Today, the technology is encapsulated in commercial software that runs on any low cost personal computer (PC) and is capable of detecting human faces anywhere in a scene and rapidly identifying them by matching the face against its database of known faces—totally hands-off and in a split second. The software can identify a face from a photograph or from a live video feed.

Facial recognition has unique advantages that make it an attractive choice for many applications. To start with, it is inexpensive, the technology is pure software that runs on any standard off the shelf hardware. Second, it is non-intrusive and convenient—for example to gain access to an ATM or into a facility all you have to do is show something you never leave home without—your face. Finally, in many applications—such as in combating identity fraud at Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV)—facial photographs are the only biometric information available.

Applications

In what follows, I would like, time permitting, to show three demonstrations of real-world applications of FaceIt technology.

(1) A System for Combating Identity Fraud

What is alarming about identity fraud in today’s computerized society is the ease with which it can be perpetrated and how little sophistication it requires. The good news is, several cost-effective technologies exist today that can help put an end to all forms of identity fraud. Our first demonstration is such an example..

What you will see next is an investigative tool that we are offering -- through a partnership with the Polaroid Corporation -- to all DMVs. This new capability allows the DMVs to cut down on identity fraud right at its source—the point of issuance of the drivers license.

By now, most DMVs have converted their records to digital databases that include a photograph of the licensed driver. With this new tool, a DMV can check the photograph of a new applicant against the millions of photographs in their records to determine if there are aliases or duplicates. A license is issued only if it is determined that no duplication exists, thereby insuring that only one driver license is issued to one individual.

Since a drivers license can be used to open a bank account and execute any financial transaction. Eliminating duplicate drivers licenses should help cut down the more serious of identity crimes.

SHOW DEMO 1 HERE.

The demo shows FaceIt technology identifying an individual’s face despite the effects of nearly 10 years of aging, changes in lighting, expression, pose etc.

Other applications of this tool include tracking missing children. In fact, FaceIt technology was just recently chosen by the National Institute of Justice and their prime contractor ANSER as the facial recognition engine for an information system under development for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Over the next few months systems for combating marriage fraud, asylum fraud, voter registration and national IDs worldwide will be deployed.

(2) Information Security

In our modern society more and more information about ourselves, our lives and our business resides in digital form on computers. These include financial statements, medical records, emails, correspondence, business plans, trade secrets and formulas.

In a networked world our expectations for access to our information from anywhere have increased but so has our vulnerability against access by unauthorized individuals. The problem is how do we protect our privacy and safeguard our information without drowning in a sea of numbers and pass-codes?

Face recognition technology offers a simple solution; all you need is an inexpensive video camera (about $60) and your face. When a computer is capable of recognizing who is in front of it, it can be programmed to grant access only to those it recognizes as authorized individuals. From then on, every file, database or record will be delivered only to an authorized face.

As a byproduct of this the computer can keep an audit trail which records a thumbnail image of all faces that access or attempt to access the system. This can be used for accountability and as a deterrent factor.

SHOW DEMO 2, HERE.

The only way you gain access and your computer remains active is if your face remains in the field of view of the camera. The instant you leave, the computer notes your departure and locks itself.

(3) Banking on Smart Cards

Smart cards can fulfill different roles in different applications. They can serve as an ATM card or as an alternative to cash in retail and vending, they can carry medical records, your driver’s license or your frequent flyer membership card.

Since a single smart card can carry so much information and can enable its holder to do so many things, it is imperative that security mechanisms that protect the contents when a card is lost or stolen be in place.

SHOW DEMO 3 HERE

Biometric technology offers the desired safeguards. By placing biometric information on the card at the time of its issuance, one can prevent unauthorized use. For example, if a digitized facial image is encoded on the card then no one can use your card unless they have your face—rendering the card worthless and its contents inaccessible to anyone but yourself.

(4) Other Real-World Applications:

There are many other applications of this technology. Two notable ones are:

(1) INS SENTRI Commuter Lane at Otey Mesa port of entry:

FaceIt technology was installed in November 1997 and is used to confirm that the driver of the car is authorized to re-enter the U.S. The SENTRI system eliminates the long line of cars at the border making the crossing a lot faster and convenient to frequent travelers without compromising the integrity of the border.

(2) Langkawi Airport in Malaysia:

FaceIt technology was installed in September 1997 as part of an Integrated Passenger and Luggage Security System which reconciles passengers with their luggage from check-in to boarding to prevents terrorists from checking luggage and not boarding the plane.

The Concerns About Privacy

As you can see from our demonstrations today, computerized facial recognition has many applications that positively affect the day to day lives of many people. It is a tool that can solve problems facing our modern society. However, as is the case with any powerful tool, especially a new technology, it is understandable that there will be concerns regarding the potential for abuse.

Of course, it is up to society to discover and define the responsible uses of innovation. We are ready and available to work with you and the public interest groups to address any privacy concerns. In this process, I urge you to remain focused on the real issue and the ultimate cause of concern and that is not the technology itself but the information "databases." Without a database, a biometric system cannot function. Thus you can channel the technology into positive applications by deciding what databases an agency is allowed to build. No one will argue that a database of known terrorists or drug traffickers invades someone’s privacy.