Sports hold profound significance in the lives of athletes, nations, and citizens alike, fostering a sense of unity and national pride. Sporting events captivate hearts and minds, showcasing the devotion towards athletic spirit.
The journey of an athlete from local competitions to global stages embodies dedication and resilience, inspiring millions worldwide.
Olympics event
At the pinnacle of this athletic journey lies the Olympics, a cherished event that transcends borders and cultures, uniting nations in a shared pursuit of excellence and sportsmanship.
For years, anticipation has been building as Paris, affectionately known as the City of Lights and renowned as the iconic capital of France, prepares to host the Olympics 2024, promising unforgettable moments of triumph and unity.
Facial Recognition Technology
FRT symbolises a commitment to safeguarding the spirit of The Olympics, preserving the joy and pride
Amidst the excitement, there lies a solemn responsibility: to protect the interests of everyone involved. In response, the use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) offers an enhanced approach to improving security measures for identification, access control, and threat detection.
It symbolises a commitment to safeguarding the spirit of The Olympics, preserving the joy and pride that this monumental event brings to millions worldwide.
The quest for enhanced security at the Olympics
Ensuring Olympic security involves addressing a spectrum of challenges, including the complexities of managing fan behaviour, cyber-attacks, and the unpredictability of civil unrest.
According to the National Center for Sports Safety and Security, 73.2% of attendees consider safety and security measures when deciding whether to attend an event, and 77% prefer security measures to be visible at an event.
Common cybersecurity threats
Phishing attacks, credential stuffing, and password spraying are some of the common cybersecurity threats
With growing technological advancement and globalisation of the world these days, the Olympic Games face increasing risks of cyber attacks.
Phishing attacks, credential stuffing, and password spraying are some of the common cybersecurity threats. Reports from the National Cyber Security Centre, United Kingdom, have established that more than 70% of sports organisations fell victim to cyber incidents in 2020, and this was mostly caused by hackers seeking financial gain.
Eradicating Security Concerns with FRT
In particular, surveillance becomes an important component of security and incident detection during the Olympics, where millions of spectators gather from all over the world.
For this reason, strict perimeter measures, secure screening procedures, and vigilant security are required. Indeed, integrating FRT as an additional feature in Video Management Systems (VMS) can improve the outcomes significantly.
- Physical Security Enhancement:
Video Analytics Systems are one of the most effective means of evaluating threat levels at the event
Video Analytics Systems are one of the most effective means of evaluating threat levels at the event, using face recognition to match the faces of the people attending the event with a universal offenders database.
It allows security staff to quickly identify malicious actors and detain them. This reduces the likelihood of wrong-doers making attempts at large-scale events, thus, protecting participants and spectators, and ensuring their safety.
- Monitoring Crowd Behaviour:
Effective management of crowd behaviour is crucial for maintaining a safe and harmonious environment. Video Analytics Systems make it easier to look for and monitor disruptive crowd behaviours in real-time, like vandalism, alcoholism, violence, etc. Instigators of such activities are immediately identified and flagged, allowing security officials to address the problem before it escalates.
It also helps in tracking and preventing agitation since the system incites recognising people in the crowd from lists of unreliable persons, even if masks hide their faces. This capability enables security to respond quickly to emerging threats, ensuring that protests remain peaceful.
- Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures:
If the FRT system is centralised, any attempted intrusion by an intruder will be immediately visible
FRT minimises the capability of cyber intruders attempting to penetrate the competition control information systems, media streams, and security systems and meddle with their work. If the FRT system is centralised, any attempted intrusion by an intruder will be immediately visible to security personnel. This will prevent unauthorised access and reduce not only the number of cybercrimes but also financial and reputational risks.
By integrating FRS with AI, biometric and conventional security systems have made security surveillance more effective and efficient in providing real-time data analytics. With the development of generative AI, a new type of attack using spoofing and deep fakes is gaining momentum. Recognition technologies with liveness features can stand out among other defence systems.
Peace of mind for athletes and staff
FRT has the potential to profoundly impact the Olympic experience, offering athletes and staff a transformative blend of efficiency, security, and operational ease.
For athletes, it means seamless access to venues, minimising distractions and administrative hurdles, allowing them to dedicate more time and focus to their training and competition. They can move through the Olympic complex with confidence, knowing their safety is assured.
Identifying and addressing potential threats
The technology not only enhances a sense of safety and belongingness but also ensures that global athletic excellence
Beyond efficiency, this technology empowers security personnel to manage large crowds with precision, swiftly identifying and addressing potential threats.
The technology not only enhances a sense of safety and belongingness but also ensures that global athletic excellence is memorable and deeply meaningful for everyone involved.
Harmonising security and privacy with integrity
Data privacy is paramount, and the balance between safety and the subject’s right to privacy must be kept to the highest standard. Transparency about data collection, storage, and usage fosters trust and upholds individual dignity. By championing both security and privacy, advanced technology security solutions like FRT can play an important role in ensuring that every participant and spectator feels safe, respected, and inspired.
The application of security measures trusted worldwide helps maintain the integrity of global events, and the Olympic games act as an anchor for setting a perfect example of unified growth and glory.
360-degree protection
"The Olympic Games stand as a monumental event for millions worldwide, posing substantial challenges to security services," said Tamara Morozova, Global CEO, of RecFaces.
"Integrating facial recognition software promises 360-degree protection, drastically reducing incident response times to mere seconds, and empowering security personnel with invaluable analytical insights."