Initial adoption at data centres
Telecom Egypt has installed facial recognition on security cameras at a new data centre through Dubai-based systems integrator RecFaces.
As part of the deal, staff at Egyptian systems integrator Audio Technology had to undergo intense training to qualify as pre-sales engineers and product manager for the controversial face recognition solutions for North Africa. Audio Technology created a Competence Centre in Cairo to make and distribute its biometric products across the region.
Audio Technology has now installed RecFaces’ Id-Guard face biometrics system at a Telecom Egypt data centre in an undisclosed location. The security sensitive data centre already operated security firm Pelco’s VideoXpert video management system. Telecom Egypt has integrated the systems so that Id-Guard security staff can continue using interface along with facial recognition, it said.
This is Telecom Egypt’s first use of face biometrics at any facility and, according to sources, ‘more may follow’. The facial biometrics system identifies visages in a video stream and has been installed at each data centre perimeter. The telco is to investigate methods to control access to its facility, initially, but will also extend activities to other areas of management, such as detecting possible staff violations, according to RecFaces.
The technology identifies both employees and site visitors. If an unauthorised person or someone on the stop-list is detected, the site security team is notified, in under a second, for immediate response.
The system allows other ‘modalities’ (infringements) such as failure to wear a mask, and can instantly notify authoritarians over any improper conduct. RecFaces has been working with another partner, Thai firm T-Sign, in Asia. In July 2022 it announced a first deployment of RecFaces technology through the partnership, bringing face biometrics to Bangkok’s Skywalk metro system.