Aurora Launches FaceSentinel, Facial Recognition for Access Control

Aurora has launched FaceSentinel, the world's first biometric access control authentication product powered by Deep Learning. Designed for integration with existing access control systems, the ground-breaking facial recognition system uses AI and infrared light to achieve unparalleled facial recognition speed, accuracy and reliability.

FaceSentinel works with existing high-security access control systems to authenticate pass holders: a registered user swipes his or her pass card or key fob and FaceSentinel simply confirms whether the person holding the credential is the same person registered within the organization’s access permissions system. This authentication happens in a second or less, thanks to the core technology behind FaceSentinel: Deep Learning.

Deep Learning is a pioneering technique used to create a highly optimized Artificial Intelligence. It works by first creating a blank "brain": an artificial neural network. This brain is then trained to recognize faces by presenting it with millions of face image examples, enabling it to become more experienced, faster and more accurate at the facial recognition task than any human or existing technology could be. Aurora's Deep Learning capacity is the result of work done by its R&D department - a team of six PhD facial recognition experts led by Head of Research, Dr. Tom Heseltine.

The cutting edge technology behind FaceSentinel also includes the use of infrared cameras to overcome the inherent challenge presented to facial recognition by fluctuations in natural light.

Gary James, Aurora's Head of Sales and Customer Relations, said that the development of FaceSentinel heralds a new era in biometric security technology.

"This is the first time the security industry has seen Deep Learning and Artificial intelligence harnessed to create a fast, powerful and truly reliable access control product," he said. "It's unobtrusive - the user doesn't need to present themselves to a finger or handprint scanner - and safe: only face templates are stored, not images of users. FaceSentinel is Wiegand and RS485 compliant and so can be added seamlessly to 90% of the world's access control systems. For high security sites it provides true authentication and peace of mind."

UK-based Aurora has impressive pedigree and experience in the world of airport passenger management, where its facial recognition products assist with matching travelers to boarding passes at Heathrow and Manchester airports. At Heathrow Terminals 2 and 5, over 15 million facial recognition events were processed in 2014. At Manchester, over 5 million people have used the system since its introduction in 2013.

"The technology is highly efficient and reliable," James said. "Now, with Deep Learning, it is amazingly accurate and consistent - and getting more so all the time."

Aurora's first access control partner is Plan Access Control. Managing Director, Ray Phillips, said, "FaceSentinel is truly a huge evolutionary step for access control authentication. It's far and away the fastest, least invasive, biometric verification system we've worked with, and it makes a lot of sense for use in high-end access security applications."

Aurora is actively seeking additional new access partners to work alongside FaceSentinel and welcomes enquiries from manufacturers.

"We believe FaceSentinel provides a truly compelling case for the use of biometric verification in high security scenarios," James said. "It's the fastest, most accurate authentication available, and we'd love to hear from access control manufacturers who are interested in working with us."

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.