Home : Biometrics : Iris Recognition : How Does Iris Compare

Few would argue with the generally held view, and evidence, that iris recognition is the most accurate of the commonly used biometric technologies.

Unparalleled accuracy and stability

The patterns in the human iris are fixed from about one year in age and remain constant. This means that once a subject is enrolled, the need to re-enrol is lower than for other biometric identification options. Virtually every other biometric template changes significantly over time, detracting from overall system performance and requiring frequent reenrolment.

Reliable

A distinctive iris pattern is not susceptible to theft, loss or compromise.

Fast

No other biometric technology is designed to deliver 1-n searching of large databases in real time. Looking at speed in conjunction with accuracy, there's simply no other technology that can deliver high accuracy authentication in anything close to the real-time performance of iris recognition.

Superior management of large databases

Iris recognition is the only biometric authentication technology designed to work in the 1-n or exhaustive search mode. This makes it ideal for handling applications that require management of large user groups. The technology is ideally suited to handle large databases, and does so without any degradation in accuracy.

Application mode versatility

While the technology was initially designed to work in one-to-many search mode, iris recognition is perfectly suited to applications that require 1-1 matching, or verification mode operation. This makes iris authentication ideal for use in upgrading security systems that have a large base of installed card readers or PIN pads.

High-level user acceptance

Most people in the developed world are comfortable with the idea of having their picture taken, particularly if there is some benefit to having it done. Iris recognition involves nothing more than taking a digital picture of the iris (from moving video), and recreating an encrypted digital template of that pattern. That template cannot be re-engineered or reconstituted to produce any sort of visual image. There are no lasers or bright lights involved in iris recognition and authentication is entirely non-contact.

Flexible

Iris recognition technology easily integrates into existing security systems or operates in a standalone mode.