FACIAL RECOGNITION IS COMING TO NSW CLUBS: WHY CYBERSECURITY MUST BE PART OF THE DECISION
A New Requirement for NSW Clubs
Facial recognition technology is about to move from an emerging surveillance technology to an essential component of gaming compliance in NSW.
The NSW Government has confirmed that facial recognition technology will be mandated in hotels and clubs to support the introduction of a statewide exclusion register. The technology is expected to be introduced alongside the statewide register, currently scheduled for 2028.
The objective is straightforward. Facial recognition will automatically identify people who are subject to an exclusion when they enter a gaming area and alert venue staff, providing a more reliable method of detection than relying solely on manual identification. Importantly, FRT is intended to support, rather than replace, the responsibilities of venue staff.
For venues, this means facial recognition is no longer simply a security or technology investment. It will become part of the infrastructure supporting responsible gambling and regulatory compliance.
That makes the choice of technology particularly important.
The Cybersecurity Question
Facial recognition systems are fundamentally different from conventional surveillance cameras because they can involve the collection, processing and storage of highly sensitive biometric information.
That creates a significant cybersecurity responsibility for venues.
An IP camera or video management system that is connected to a network can potentially become an entry point for cyber threats if it is inadequately protected. Weak authentication, insecure communications, vulnerable firmware, poor access controls or inadequate system monitoring can expose surveillance systems to unauthorised access.
With facial recognition, the consequences can be considerably more serious. A compromised system could potentially expose facial images, biometric information or records associated with individuals identified by the system.
Security Should Be Designed into the Technology
For clubs investing in FRT, cybersecurity should not be treated as an additional feature that can be added later. It should be embedded into the architecture of the system from the outset.
This is an area where Hanwha Vision has a strong proposition.
Hanwha Vision has developed its surveillance technology around a secure-by-design approach, incorporating features such as secure boot, signed firmware, device authentication, encrypted communications, access controls and security logging. Selected Hanwha products also incorporate technologies including trusted platform modules and encrypted storage, while the company maintains a dedicated security response capability.
For Australian venues, these characteristics provide an important distinction. When a technology is being used to identify excluded patrons and potentially handle biometric information, the security credentials of the manufacturer are an important part of the purchasing decision.
Why Hanwha Vision Stands Out
Sold and supported for Australian hospitality businesses by Secom’s Security Interactive, Hanwha Vision provides IP camera and facial recognition technology with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity and system integrity.
Key advantages include:
- Cybersecurity by Design
Hanwha builds security into its products through technologies including secure boot, signed firmware, device authentication, encrypted communications and security monitoring. - Strong Information Security Credentials
Hanwha Vision holds ISO 27001 certification and has established processes for identifying, managing and responding to cybersecurity vulnerabilities. - Controlled Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Hanwha maintains control across significant stages of product development and manufacturing, supporting greater visibility over the technology supply chain. Its manufacturing operations include facilities in South Korea and Vietnam. - Trusted Technology Partner
Hanwha Vision is part of the broader Hanwha group and has an established presence across security, technology and defence markets, providing a substantial corporate foundation behind its technology development. - End-to-End Protection
Security features extend across the device, firmware, communications, storage and access layers rather than relying on a single security measure. - Designed for the Connected Environment
With IP cameras and FRT operating as connected network technologies, strong authentication, encrypted communications, access controls and system auditing are essential components of a secure surveillance environment.
A Technology Decision with Long-Term Consequences
The introduction of mandatory facial recognition represents a significant change to the security and compliance environment for NSW clubs.
For clubs, the question is therefore not whether they will need facial recognition. Increasingly, the question is which facial recognition technology they can trust with the responsibility.
It also provides clubs with an opportunity to review the technology behind their surveillance systems before the regulatory deadline arrives.
When biometric information and gaming exclusions are involved, cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought. The system needs to be secure not only when it is installed, but throughout its operational life.
Hanwha Vision’s focus on secure-by-design technology, information security, device protection and supply chain integrity provides clubs with an alternative approach to surveillance technology, where cybersecurity is treated as a fundamental part of the product rather than an optional addition.
Hanwha Vision IP Cameras and Facial Recognition systems are sold and supported for the Australian hospitality industry by Secom’s Security Interactive.
For more information, contact George Hanna at Security Interactive
E:
M: 0432 126 057
