By Mohammed Murad
The impacts of the COVID-19 virus continue to be felt throughout more segments of public and private business. According to a leading global market research company, the COVID-19 virus pandemic is creating a “big moment for biometrics” as they offer contactless platforms for accurately authenticating a person’s identity.
A recent report, “Taking Stock of Covid-19” by ABI Research, forecasts reduced reliance on contact-based technologies such as fingerprint and vein recognition in favor of contactless biometrics including iris and facial recognition.
According to the report, more government and enterprise organizations will use contactless biometrics for access control, workforce management (time and attendance) and other ID authentication needs in healthcare, law enforcement, border control and more. This is despite many organizations’ long-term investment in and use of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems.
Contact-based biometric systems may help spread disease such as the COVID-19 virus. Recent studies have shown the virus is capable of surviving for up to three days on stainless steel and plastic – materials often used in fingerprint identification systems.
Iris ID solutions enable people to stand about 12 inches away from readers for both enrollment and identification purposes. There is no need for any physical contact throughout the processes. Iris recognition is not impacted by a person wearing gloves, masks, goggles, glasses or other protective measures. Additionally, iris-based identification is widely viewed as the fastest and most accurate of the biometric technologies.
Our website has more information on the complete line of Iris ID authentication solutions.
(Mohammed Murad is vice president, global sales and business development, Iris ID.)