Used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CryptoMetrics face recognition products discretely capture 90 images per second of up to 15 people simultaneously, identifying possible threats

CryptoMetrics Inc. is using its biometric identifying technology to protect critical infrastructures, borders and airports. Since 2000, CryptoMetrics has been providing additional layers of security for governmental organizations and private companies. Current customers include the United States Army, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, German Federal Police and both the United Kingdom and New Zealand Passport Services. CryptoMetrics, with corporate presence in Canada and the United States, has its development centre located at the heart of Ottawa’s tech community in Kanata, Ontario.

Biometric technologies identify humans based on physical traits. Using biometrics, CryptoMetrics face and fingerprint recognition products, SecurIDent and FingerSure, allow government and company officials to accurately identify persons of interest.

Facial recognition is the fastest growing segment in the biometrics market. SecurIDent captures and processes images from live video, photos and image databases. Identifying key facial marks, such as centres of the eye sockets, the tip of the nose and corners of the mouth, SecurIDent creates a 3D orientation of the face. The image is then compared against local or remote image databases to identify possible threats.

SecurIDent is currently being used in many of the World’s largest airports, including New Zealand, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.

FingerSure verifies identity with a touch of a finger, using advanced algorithms to ensure the highest identity accuracy from fingerprints. FingerSure also provides a central location for securely storing fingerprints.

Why Ottawa

Ottawa is the most highly educated city in Canada. Over 25% of Ottawa residents hold a university degree, with 14% achieving Masters degrees and/or PhD’s, according to The Corporate Knights 2007 Ranking of Canada’s Most Sustainable Cities.

This high number is achieved in part because of Ottawa’s three major post-secondary institutions: University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College. Combined, all three schools have 55,000 students enrolled in the 2008/2009 academic year.

Business advantage

“From as far as 75 feet away, CryptoMetrics SecurIDent cameras discretely take 15-90 photos per second of up to 15 people at the same time. How far can you walk in 15 seconds? Perhaps a few metres. If it grabs dozens of frames of you in that time, it's got you,” says Devashish Paul, Director of Product Marketing at CryptoMetrics. As soon as the photos are taken, SecurIDent streams the images to a local or remote database to accurately identify the individual. SecurIDent delivers an accurate match 99% of the time.

“A facial disguise, such as a beard, moustache or toupee, cannot beat the face-recognition technology,” says Mr. Paul. "Face-recognition technology is actually independent of disguises. It's based on the underlying bone structure of the person”.

In August, 2008 CryptoMetrics installed the world’s first Wanted Persons Face Recognition System in the Abu Dhabi International Airport in United Arab Emirates. Using the SecurIDent system, images of travelers are recorded and compared to a national database of known criminals. The system will be expanded throughout the UAE at all airports and borders over the next five years. “Border security has entered the 21st century with the deployment of this technology,” said CryptoMetrics Chief Strategy Officer, Joel Shaw.

Future growth plans

To expand the impact of its Wanted Person Face Recognition System, CryptoMetrics is looking to partner with governments and airports internationally to make the system a worldwide security database. CryptoMetrics is also adding to its Ottawa workforce and is currently accepting resumes from quality assurance and software engineers.

Contact information

CryptoMetrics Inc.
613-270-9822
www.cryptometrics.com

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