Visitor Management System: Privacy over Security is of No Use

Visitor management system based on face recognition is a modern technology. It enables the operator to know how many visitors visited the premises, what was the time spent by each visitor inside, whether they are still inside the premises or not, and other such details. Schools, hospitals, shopping malls, airports, railway stations and other places have many visitors daily. It is an easy target for terrorists, mafia and similar anti-social elements. Visitor management solutions will check all the people coming and going and store biometric details of them in the database for future reference.

A visitor management system based on face recognition is placed at the reception desk or any other spot. The face of the people visiting the premises is captured by the camera and software. If the visitor has visited the office for the first time, he is enrolled into the database. If he has visited before, his details are detected in the database; he is allowed access if he is not a blacklisted visitor. A visitor ID card is created based on the authentication done by the system operator. The ID is stored in the system for future reference.

The advocates of civil liberties oppose the use of face recognition visitor management solutions. They argue that the stored information can be misused. Besides, it is a blow to the privacy of an individual. People may not wish their details to be preserved by outsiders. The stored information can be stolen by imposters and misused. This is true to some extent. Identity theft is a possibility with a face recognition visitor management system.

However, it is worth compromising privacy for security. Biometrics has evolved as a reliable mode of security. Installing a visitor management system will make it less prone to terrorist attacks. Any suspicious individual can be blocked entry. An individual having a prior record of misconduct can be denied access. Modern age has revolutionized everything, even crime! Extremists use technologically advanced method to further their cause. In such a scenario, clinging to primitive security means for the sake of privacy makes no sense. A face recognition visitor management system is the need of the day.

The issue of privacy is not completely ignored. An individual's private affairs may be interfered with; embarrassing information about the individual may be shared or his identity may be used for personal gains. Government is
considering the privacy issues in biometrics.

International laws for the protection of personal information have been framed. Companies and organizations using visitor management systems take utmost care to not share the biometric information of individuals without consent. Those caught violating the privacy policies associated with visitor management solutions are subjected to harsh punishments.

Sacrificing an efficient mode of safety for privacy is no intelligence. Every tool has its own advantages and disadvantages. A visitor management system is no exception! Besides, its advantages over disadvantages are more.

Preventing its growing use would be like cutting the bud before the flower blossoms. This innovative technology is setting new standards in security industry. Its growing use is advisable.