NEC Face Recognition Ranks First in NIST Accuracy Testing
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Tokyo, March 9, 2026 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced that its face recognition technology was ranked the world’s most accurate in the most recent "Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) 1:N Identification," (*1) benchmark test conducted by the globally recognized U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, *2).
In this benchmark test, NEC’s system achieved the highest performance rating among algorithms submitted by participating global companies and organizations, with an authentication error rate of 0.06% in the "1:N Identification" test (*3) using still images of 12 million people. Furthermore, NEC secured the top position in two tests using 1.6 million still images and in an aging test evaluating images taken over 12 years ago, achieving the highest evaluation in four out of eight major categories of the FRTE 1:N Identification (T>0) by Algorithm results listed on the NIST website (*4).
Additionally, NEC was recognized as a "Market Leader" in the "Frost Radar™: Biometric Solutions, 2025" report published by global research firm Frost & Sullivan.
Overview of the NIST-Sponsored Face Recognition Technology Benchmark Test
The NIST-sponsored benchmark test for face recognition technology is a thorough and fair process in which the NIST impartially evaluates programs developed and submitted by each organization under identical conditions. It is widely considered to be one of the few tests that allow users who are considering the introduction of face recognition technology to centrally compare the performance of algorithms from various organizations around the world. Since its first participation in 2009, NEC has repeatedly been ranked first in the world in the "1:N authentication" test, which requires higher accuracy than any other face recognition technology benchmark test sponsored by the NIST.
Recognized as a "Market Leader" in "Frost Radar™: Biometric Solutions, 2025"
NEC was recognized as a "Market Leader" in the "Frost Radar™: Biometric Solutions, 2025" report published by global research firm Frost & Sullivan, marking the third consecutive time, following the previous survey in 2022. In this market survey, Frost & Sullivan assessed NEC’s leadership in the Frost Radar™ Innovation Index as a result of continuous innovation across NEC’s broad biometric business portfolio.
NEC's Achievements in Face Recognition
Through continuous improvements to its core algorithms, NEC has expanded the scope of application of its face recognition technology to approximately 300 airports worldwide, as well as transportation facilities, office buildings, factories, hotels, theme parks, hospitals, apartment buildings, stores, financial institutions, and local governments, and has developed face recognition business in more than 50 countries and regions worldwide. The use of this technology includes a wide range of applications to improve customer experience and security, such as hospitality, monitoring, in-store payments, and procedures at ATMs.
Future Developments
In the future, NEC will not only continue to focus on replacing physical identity verification methods and physical security, but will also accelerate the development and provision of solutions that can be adapted to new use cases in an ever-growing digital society.
NEC is thoroughly committed to following the NEC Group AI and Human Rights Principles (*5) in its use of AI, biometric data, and other data, placing the highest priority on privacy and respect for human rights.
Under its value creation model, "NEC BluStellar," NEC transforms business models with cross-industry knowledge and cutting-edge technologies, leading to the resolution of social issues and customers' management challenges. Its core biometric technologies, face recognition, iris recognition and fingerprint recognition, have repeatedly received the highest ratings in global benchmark tests sponsored by U.S. government agencies. NEC will continue to create further added value by enhancing services and functions, and aims to solve customer challenges by providing secure, safe, and reliable services.
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- (*1)Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) 1:N Identification:
An evaluation of the accuracy of identification algorithms using a large dataset of over 10 million people. This global benchmark test involves top vendors from all over the world. https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/face-technology-evaluations-frtefate
Results shown from NIST do not constitute an endorsement of any particular system, product, service, or company by NIST. - (*2)National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):
A U.S. government agency established to strengthen technological innovation and industrial competitiveness. - (*3)1:N Identification test:
The test involves identifying a user by comparing the face information on an authentication device with the face information of multiple people enrolled in a database. - (*4)FRTE 1:N Identification (T>0) by Algorithm results:
Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) (NISTIR 8271 DRAFT SUPPLEMENT, 2026/02/13) - (*5)NEC Group AI and Human Rights Principles:
Press Release: "NEC Group Establishes "NEC Group AI and Human Rights Principles"
https://www.nec.com/en/press/201904/global_20190402_01.html
https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/face-technology-evaluations-frtefate){kind=logo}
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