Thunder Bay International Airport The First Canadian Airport To Use Face Recognition Technology
Added: (Fri Mar 29 2002)
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Thunder Bay International Airport
The First Canadian Airport To Use Face Recognition Technology
Burlington, Ontario – March 14, 2002 – NEXUS Group International Inc.’s (TSE:NXS) AcSys Biometrics Corp., the provider of the only face recognition system powered by biomimetic technology, announces its Face Recognition System (FRS) has been deployed in the first Canadian airport to use face recognition technology. Conquest Alliance Group Inc., a Burlington, Ontario-based security consulting and technology integration services company, in a teaming agreement with Toronto, Ontario-based CompuBlox Inc., a software engineering company and also a NEXUS’ subsidiary, successfully deployed an AcSys FRS access control solution at Thunder Bay International Airport for a Transport Canada pilot project.
“The number one challenge we are facing today is the sudden increase in human resources and expense to provide enhanced security and clearance of all airport personnel,” said Ed Schmidtke, commercial manager, Thunder Bay International Airport Authority.
The challenge faced by Mr. Schmidtke is the same for administrators of hundreds of other airports around the world. September 11 has made it necessary to enhance security measures around the airport perimeter, inside the airport and near aircraft. In the short term, airports have fulfilled this need for heightened security by deploying more security personnel. However, the burden that this temporary measure places on human and financial resources has underscored the demand for new, cost-effective solutions that provide a consistently high level of security.
This is where the Conquest Alliance Group picks up the challenge, anchored by its expertise in security and surveillance methods. Integral to Conquest Alliance security consulting during this installation has been CompuBlox Inc. CompuBlox is a provider of technology integration and software solution engineering services with expertise in biometric solutions.
“This project will be successful if we can provide a turnkey access control system that reduces the need for manpower and provides a solution that is both reliable and affordable. In other words, allowing airports to use their resources more efficiently and deploy their security personnel more effectively, thereby improving the overall security protocol,” said Collin Sutherland, president of Conquest Alliance Group.
“And I don’t see a problem establishing this turnkey solution using AcSys FRS. The inspection of airport personnel represents a six-figure expense shouldered entirely by the airport authority. Conquest Alliance Group, working with CompuBlox and using AcSys FRS, is confident that it can provide a solution to reduce this emerging expense burden,” Sutherland added.
At the pilot site, Thunder Bay International Airport, CompuBlox installed a security system using AcSys FRS Entry face recognition. The security solution uses proximity cards combined with face recognition to create a highly secure access control system securing the airfield. A Siedle Communication Systems’ wall mount unit with camera, speaker, and proximity reader was used to create a robust and esthetically pleasing security solution. An authorized user swipes the proximity card and is verified by the face recognition system in less than one second. Upon verification, the system unlocks the door.
In testing performed by the International Biometric Group, [1] AcSys FRS face recognition technology was found, at medium security levels, to have a 0% False Acceptance Rate (FAR), meaning that impostors were defeated 100% of the time, and a 3.1% False Rejection Rate (FRR), meaning that authorized users were denied access only 3.1% of the time. Because AcSys FRS actually learns users’ faces over time, the system retains its accuracy (0% FAR) while increasing its user-friendliness (reduced FRR). AcSys FRS is the only face recognition technology with this capability.
Soon to be installed at the pilot site is an optical turnstile, which will address the possibility of tailgaters. As personnel enter the face recognition area, they will be passively counted using this method. Users must pass single file through a "gateway" to ensure they are counted individually. The optical turnstile's primary software ensures that entry numbers are in balance with access control numbers. Failure to balance can result in a number of triggers. For example, the security door will lock, or an alarm will sound in the security operations centre.
Since learning of the Conquest Alliance Group, the Thunder Bay International Airport Authority has taken a lead role and partnership with the group. "We have had good experience in piloting new and leading technologies at our location," Schmidtke added. "We distribute high-speed snow removal equipment that is manufactured in Sweden and our intention is to do the same with the Conquest Alliance Group. Together we will develop a solution to assist all airports to improve security through reliable technology while reducing costs."
“We are proud of our team – both at CompuBlox and AcSys Biometrics – and are pleased with their association with the Conquest Alliance Group. Both CompuBlox and AcSys have demonstrated their strengths in solving challenges and providing expert technical problem-solving skills. And we are most pleased to be providing our Face Recognition System as part of this pilot project for Transport Canada, clearly a first at our Canadian airports. AcSys is able to provide a cost effective and reliable solution for small to mid-size airports here in Canada,” said David Lobb, president and CEO of NEXUS Group International Inc.
Thunder Bay International Airport Authority Inc. (TBIAAI) is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act. The TBIAAI’s mission is to realize “…superior standards of customer service…focusing on growth, safety and efficiency.” Since its incorporation in 1997, the TBIAAI has operated on a “continuous improvement” philosophy. It has introduced numerous improvements to services, while promoting the safety of passengers and personnel and reducing operating costs.
The Conquest Alliance Group provides security consulting and technology integration services. Their team of communications-electronics design engineers and former technical operatives from numerous law enforcement and intelligence agencies has experience in all facets of physical security, communications security, covert CCTV/electronic detector systems, audio and video alarms, technical security counter-measures, access control systems and VIP protection.
CompuBlox Inc. is a software engineering company specializing in the development of biometric security solutions. The CompuBlox team draws on a wealth of theoretical capability, technological experience, and subject matter expertise in the areas of biometric product development, integration, and implementation to engineer state-of-the art solutions.
AcSys Biometrics is a joint venture between NEXUS Group International and AND Corporation, the owner and developer of the patented, proprietary Holographic/Quantum Neural Technology (HNeT). AcSys is the provider of leading-edge face recognition based on the core software – HNeT – with applications for the financial, manufacturing, security, and medical sectors. NEXUS is a Burlington, Ontario-based organization focused on leading-edge technologies with a primary focus on the security market. Its goal is to position itself as the leader in biometric technology and other advanced fields. NEXUS trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange as NXS.