Facial Recognition Solutions Done Right: Trust, Tech, and Transparency
Facial recognition solutions are transforming security across schools, businesses, and government facilities. And while the technology itself is powerful, how it’s implemented makes all the difference. At Towner, we lead with ethics, transparency, and trust to help organizations use facial recognition the right way—from day one.
What Is Facial Recognition (And What It’s Not)
Facial recognition is a biometric software application that uses algorithms to map facial features from photos or video and compares this data to a database of known faces. It’s used everywhere from unlocking your iPhone to catching airport security threats. But don’t confuse it with surveillance for the sake of surveillance. Responsible deployment means purpose-driven use—and we’ll get into that.
Real-world examples:
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Schools use it for controlled campus access.
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Cities use it to identify persons of interest.
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Hospitals use it to secure sensitive areas.
For more on securing educational environments, check out our education technology solutions.
The Market Is Booming—And So Are Privacy Concerns
According to Fortune Business Insights, the facial recognition market is expected to reach $24.28 billion by 2032. That growth is fueled by public safety initiatives, corporate security systems, and frictionless access needs.
But here’s the rub:
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52% of U.S. adults express concern about how their biometric data is being used. (Pew Research)
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Over 25 U.S. states have introduced biometric privacy laws.
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As of 2024, several federal proposals are also gaining traction to standardize biometric data handling.
Translation: It’s not enough to deploy tech. You have to deploy it ethically.
Towner’s Approach: Facial Recognition That Doesn’t Cross The Line
We don’t believe in tech for tech’s sake. At Towner, we partner with industry leaders like Verkada to provide smart, compliant, and context-aware facial recognition solutions.
Our 5 Pillars of Responsible Facial Recognition:
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Purpose-built deployment: You define the “why,” we help define the “how.”
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Consent-driven usage: No stealth mode. Transparency is the policy.
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Data minimization: If we don’t need it, we don’t collect it.
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End-to-end encryption: Your data stays locked down.
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Auditability: You can always see the who, what, and when.
Pro Tip for Admins: Apply role-based access controls to your facial recognition data to enhance compliance and limit internal risk.
Where Facial Recognition Works Best
Towner tailors facial recognition to support mission-critical safety and operational goals in:
Education
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Automate entry and exit logs
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Monitor campus for persons of interest
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Boost emergency response speed
Healthcare
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Secure patient wards and pharmacy storage
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Enhance visitor vetting and patient tracking
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Reduce unauthorized access events
Government & Municipalities
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Monitor civic buildings with privacy-first protocols
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Identify repeat offenders or missing persons
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Streamline incident investigations
Retail & Manufacturing
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Reduce theft and shrinkage
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Restrict access to inventory and hazardous areas
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Improve workforce safety and compliance
How Verkada’s Facial Recognition Tech (Delivered by Towner) Works
We work exclusively with Verkada’s cloud-based platform for facial recognition because of its reliability, data ethics, and ease of use.
Top features:
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Person of Interest Search: Upload a face to find all related footage.
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Live Face Blur: Hide faces by default unless flagged.
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Face Match Confidence: Human + AI decision support.
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Integrated Access Control: Link faces to doors, badges, and alerts.
All hosted on a secure, SOC 2 Type II certified cloud. Learn more about how we integrate physical security at Towner’s Security Solutions.
Real Talk: Why Businesses Choose Towner
When you work with Towner, you don’t just get a camera or a login. You get:
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Real human support
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Local installation and servicing
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Customized system design
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Training for admins and front-line staff
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SLA-backed response times
Our clients come to us because they don’t want to be left in the dark when it comes to tech. We illuminate the path forward.
Why Towner is the Smart Choice for Facial Recognition
Facial recognition doesn’t have to feel creepy. With the right strategy, it becomes a tool for safety, trust, and operational clarity. At Towner, we don’t just implement it. We make it work for you and for the people you serve.
FAQs
About Facial Recognition
Is facial recognition legal in Missouri or Kansas?
Yes—with responsible implementation. Neither Missouri nor Kansas currently has biometric-specific privacy legislation. However, that doesn’t mean FRT is a free-for-all. To operate responsibly, Towner recommends:
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Posting clear signage that FRT is in use
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Restricting data collection to business-critical needs
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Encrypting biometric data with SOC 2-certified systems
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Allowing individuals access to their data if requested
We help our Missouri and Kansas clients adopt future-proof compliance standards, not just minimum legal requirements.
Is facial recognition secure?
Absolutely—if implemented correctly. Towner uses Verkada’s cloud-based system with end-to-end encryption, role-based access controls, and audit logs that track every interaction with your system.
Our FRT is backed by:
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SOC 2 Type II certification
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Zero-trust security architecture
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Geo-fenced access rules
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Remote video redaction and face-blur controls
We treat biometric data with the same care as financial and healthcare records.
Is facial recognition legal in my state?
It varies widely. While federal regulation is still evolving, over 25 states have passed biometric privacy laws that impact facial recognition technology (FRT). For example:
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Illinois’ BIPA law requires written consent before collecting facial data.
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Texas and Washington have similar opt-in laws.
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Other states have introduced legislation, with varying degrees of restriction and enforcement.
At Towner, we stay ahead of legislation and help clients deploy solutions that are fully compliant, with consent-based data handling, visible disclosures, and configurable privacy settings.
Can facial recognition integrate with our other security systems?
Yes. Towner designs fully integrated security ecosystems where FRT isn’t a standalone product—it’s a smart layer that enhances your entire infrastructure.
Our integrations include:
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Access control systems (badge, mobile, door sensors)
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Environmental monitoring (air quality, vape detection)
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Emergency notification and lockdown tools
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Visitor management platforms
With FRT at the core, you gain real-time insight and seamless control across your facilities.
How accurate is facial recognition—and what about false positives?
Facial recognition systems aren’t perfect, but Towner minimizes risk through:
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AI confidence scoring
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Human review protocols
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Customizable sensitivity levels
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Smart filtering (e.g., only alert on persons of interest)
False positives are rare when configured properly. Our systems are trained to reduce demographic bias and are updated frequently to reflect best practices in computer vision. If needed, we can enable privacy-first modes that blur all faces by default until a manual review is triggered.
