Systems and methods are provided for controlling access to a building or other restricted physical spaces using at least a facial recognition module, an access control panel and electronically lockable doors or other means of controlling access. The facial recognition module comprises visible light and IR detection. The facial recognition module initially uses visible light to detect a person in the vicinity of an access control location, defines a region of interest in at least a captured image related to the location of the person's face, tracks the movement of the face and adjusts the region of interest, and performs facial recognition by prioritizing analysis of the defined region of interest.