Facial recognition has emerged as the leading biometric for enterprise access security, says HID’s Jaroslav Barton.
In today’s digital era, biometrics have become an essential part of daily life, enabling consumers to unlock their phones, conduct financial transactions and verify their identities before performing tasks where data security is a concern.
Surveys show that biometric identity checks are a common occurrence (Biometric Update), with 87% of respondents to one survey reporting that they had been asked to verify their identity by providing biometric information within the past year.
Biometric modalities mentioned in the survey include fingerprints, selfies, live video, voice recordings and iris scans. Another survey reported that half of all users rely on biometrics for daily authentication. Respondents to both surveys reported privacy concerns about using their data but submitted to biometric checks anyway.
As enterprises, large and small, seek to harden the security of their building and assets without undue burdens on staff, using biometrics for access control has taken on a new prominence. Traditional access methods, such as key cards, PIN codes and fingerprint scanners, share common vulnerabilities.
Cards can be lost or shared. PIN codes can be observed or forgotten. Contact-based biometrics add friction and raise hygiene concerns in high-traffic areas.
Given the above issues, facial recognition has become the access control biometric option of choice, offering the frictionless and hygienic access experience that workers demand while addressing the challenges that face building operators, security departments and company leadership.
This article will define the market size and adoption rates of biometrics, as well as address the types of biometric access solutions, focusing on the emergence of facial recognition as the product of choice for enterprises. It also includes a list of features to look for when evaluating facial recognition solutions for access control.
Strong growth and adoption of biometrics
Amid increasingly sophisticated attacks on buildings and electronic environments, maintaining physical and digital security is critical in today’s business environment.
Companies are turning to biometrics to strengthen access control by linking credentials to unique human characteristics rather than cards or passwords. Biometric authentication reduces the risk of credential sharing and compromise while improving convenience for employees and administrators alike.
The global market for all biometric systems is expected to grow by nearly 130% over the next six years, reaching a market value of more than $134b by 2032 (Research and Markets).
Contactless biometric options such as facial recognition, iris scanning and palm vein identification are projected for the highest growth, “driven by the demand for hygienic, fast and secure authentication solutions,” according to analysts.
Concern for public safety, along with advances in imaging, sensors and software, is driving rapid adoption of contactless biometric systems across a wide range of industries, the report notes.
According to the 2025 State of Security Report, a global survey conducted by HID, 35% of respondents reported that they were currently using biometric technology, with another 13% planning to.
Nearly three-quarters report using biometrics as part of their MFA strategy aimed at ensuring a multi-level approach to identity management for access to digital assets and critical areas of facilities.
Responses varied across geographies, with Latin America and Asia Pacific respondents reporting higher rates of use or intent (79% and 62%, respectively) than those in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA, 46%) and the US and Canada (42%).
Types of biometrics used in access control
Among biometric modalities, the ones commonly used in industry are facial, fingerprint and iris recognition. Each offers distinct trade‑offs in accuracy, usability, hygiene and cost.
- Facial recognition – uses a face template derived from camera images to enable fast, contactless entry that allows walk‑through experiences and high throughput. Facial technology is evolving quickly to offer accurate matching even in low-light conditions
- Fingerprint recognition – offers high accuracy and quick verification to eliminate issues with card loss and credential sharing. However, the touch element is causing many companies to rethink their biometric strategies
- Iris recognition – encodes detailed texture patterns around the pupil that support non‑contact capture at short distance and work well in gloves or PPE environments. However, such systems require specialised cameras that increase capital costs.
Between 2023 and 2032, the global market for biometrics in physical access control (Inkwood Research) is expected to top $7.8b, a 200% increase over that period.
Uptake is strong across industry segments, including government/public sector, healthcare and life sciences, BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), data centres, manufacturing and transport/travel.
Reasons for deploying biometrics for access control include regulatory pressures, sensitive physical assets and critical infrastructure, as leaders seek solutions to precisely manage who can enter specific locations, when access is granted and how identities are verified at the point of entry.
Why companies are relying on facial recognition
In its 2026 State of Security and Identity Management Report, HID states that biometric tech maintains momentum, with 45% of respondents viewing it as a strategic priority, 34% indicating they have already deployed biometrics, plus 23% planning implementation.
For the 2026 report, HID surveyed more than 1,400 end-users and industry partners (installers, integrators and original equipment manufacturers) across the globe. Another survey shows that 46% of respondents chose facial recognition as the modality most likely to see increased use (Biometrics Institute) over the next few years.
Organisations increasingly favour facial recognition for high-traffic or hygiene-sensitive areas because it enables fast, contactless entry and supports passive, walk-through experiences.
Falling prices for increasingly sophisticated equipment are also driving growth, as face recognition algorithms can achieve an accuracy rate of around 99.97%. Facial recognition is also important for MFA, in which users verify their identity using something they have (such as a card) along with their face for increased security.
What to look for in a facial recognition system
Users want a frictionless experience for entering buildings or gaining access to specific rooms or assets.
IT and security professionals demand robust products and software that integrate seamlessly with existing solutions to create a unified access and security posture. Consider these features when exploring facial recognition products:
- Best recognition – look for products that rate highest on the NIST Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) 1:1 Verification, which measures the false non-match rate (FNMR) across several datasets
- Supports MFA – many companies want the extra security that MFA offers to protect highly sensitive areas or assets. Any solution should support MFA beyond facial recognition, including cards, PIN, QR code or mobile.
- Quality equipment – captured images must be crisp for an identity algorithm to work effectively. High-quality readers feature two 1080p cameras, one to capture images in visible light and a second that captures images in near-infrared light that can be used in total darkness
- Feel the need for speed – a system must capture and confirm images without delay, because delays prompt user complaints. Insist on a 0.2-second recognition speed, the benchmark for high-performance access control that allows for walking-speed authentication suited to high-traffic areas
- Built-in privacy and security – any solution must adhere to the latest and most stringent privacy and security controls that align with industry best practices and applicable regulatory requirements. The option to store biometric data on a credential rather than in a centralised database can add an extra layer of security
- Smooth integration – companies are adopting an enterprise approach to access control, and any facial recognition system should integrate smoothly with existing hardware using OSDP or Wiegand connectivity
Evaluating and implementing facial recognition systems will likely involve stakeholders beyond the C-Suite and IT, including human resources and operations, among others.
A suitable vendor will not only have industry-leading equipment but also understand how security and access control can impact these broader audiences.
Conclusion
Facial recognition has moved beyond an emerging technology to become the most practical and effective biometric option for modern physical access control.
It directly addresses the core challenges enterprises face today: Securing facilities and critical assets, supporting high-traffic environments, reducing friction for employees and visitors and meeting rising expectations around hygiene and user experience.
Compared to cards, PINs and contact-based biometrics, facial recognition delivers stronger identity assurance without slowing people down or introducing operational complexity.
For organisations investing in long-term access control strategies, facial recognition offers the best balance of security, scalability and usability. Its ability to support walk-through authentication, integrate cleanly into multi-factor environments and align with evolving privacy and regulatory requirements makes it a future-ready choice.
As enterprises standardise on platforms that protect people, places and assets without compromising efficiency, facial recognition stands out as the clear leader in physical access control.
