UAE Begins Initial Phase Of Largest-Ever Facial Recognition Technology Rollout

  • Aug 18, 2008

CryptoMetrics Inc., a provider of critical infrastructure and key asset protection systems, announced recently a contract with the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to deploy a state-of-the-art, face recognition-based wanted person detection system at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

This installation represents the first phase of an anticipated nation-wide deployment in which CryptoMetrics is expected to implement the system at all points of entry to the UAE to proactively detect persons who are wanted or pose a threat to the state. This deployment makes the United Arab Emirates the first country to implement a proactive critical infrastructure protection and warning system using facial recognition on a comprehensive national basis. Financial terms of the contract between the UAE’s Ministry of Interior and CryptoMetrics were not disclosed.

The system was launched at Abu Dhabi International Airport July 14 by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at which time he affirmed the commitment of the UAE, under the leadership of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to do everything possible to maintain the country’s security.

“This is a historic development not only for the United Arab Emirates and CryptoMetrics, but also for the use of facial recognition technology,” said Robert Barra, co-founder and CEO of CryptoMetrics, “CryptoMetrics’ facial recognition technology was chosen as the superior solution from among eighteen companies who presented their biometric technology to the government of the United Arab Emirates. This will pave the way for the most heightened level of safety and security throughout the Middle East.”

Joel Shaw, chief strategy officer for CryptoMetrics

“The modus operandi of terrorism has changed to suicide terrorism and non-conventional terrorism,” said Joel Shaw, chief strategy officer for CryptoMetrics. “We scan for threatening goods and materials on a continuous basis, but the change in modus operandi dictates that we do the same for those people who pose a threat to the state.”

Officials said that the system allows critical identification checks to be performed from a distance without a person’s active participation. The system also helps inspectors at control points inside the airports to facilitate the clearance of persons without inconvenience or delay to the passengers while implementing continuous and proactive checks designed to immediately detect persons who should be denied entry or detained.

Major Fawaz Badran al Qaraeen of the Ministry of Interior stated to the local press that the system was implemented “according to instructions by General H.H. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan -- Minister of Interior -- to enhance security procedures and detect persons who might pose a threat to the state.”

"CryptoMetrics is a pioneer in developing face recognition-based identification technology and systems, especially enabling technology required to make face recognition software work in real-world settings,” Qaraeen said. “They won convincingly in competitive trials conducted by the Ministry. The results they demonstrated were remarkable. Their system can identify persons live or from photographs. It can even identify persons while they are moving with a high degree of accuracy. Working in conjunction with the other aspects of our security apparatus, the CryptoMetrics wanted person detection system will significantly enhance the security of our citizens and the millions of people who visit the UAE each year.”

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