The tech revolution is transforming everything, from small-scale business operations to enterprise automation solutions. Technology has become the key component for everyone, whether a single user or a full-grown business. The use of modern solutions for our daily operations has increased the chances of digital fraud and the risks of online attacks. Businesses use biometric solutions such as Iris recognition, fingerprints, and face detection to combat this prevailing issue. Unlike fingerprint and face detection solutions, which are more common, Iris recognition technology uses a different approach.
It is a secure way of authenticating users’ identities on the go. The market value for this technology has shown continuous growth over the years. In 2022, the estimated market was 4 billion US dollars, and with the continuous growth trend, the Iris Recognition market is expected to cross 8 billion US dollars by 2027. With such great potential, Iris recognition can further transform digital security.
This blog will discuss iris biometrics in detail, highlighting all the key aspects and uses.
What is Iris Recognition?
Iris recognition technology uses the iris (the inside part of the eye around the pupil) to verify a person’s colored part using modern algorithms that intelligently map out the characteristics that vary from person to person. The extraction of iris traits is what makes this technology stand out among others in the world of biometrics. It is a specialized type that offers a contactless biometric verification solution that adds a strong layer to digital security systems. However, the iris recognition system has its limitations unlike other biometrics as a specialized or dedicated iris scanner is required.
History of Iris Recognition
Iris recognition technology has matured over time before reaching its full potential just like today. However, the technology has been in the market since the late 1930s.
The first experiment was performed by Frank Burch, an Ophthalmologist who used irises inside patterns to evaluate an individual’s identity. In 1985, another group of Ophthalmologists, Dr. Leonard Flm and Dr. Aran Safir introduced a new concept that was later recognized as a standard for iris recognition solutions and awarded a patent. According to them, every two irises are different and distinct.
In 1993, a prototype unit from the Defense Nuclear Agency was completed in 1995 by the efforts of Dr. Floam, Safir, and Daugman. This marked the successful commercialization of iris recognition technology after the first product became available in the same year. 2005 was the year of iris recognition, which provided marketing opportunities for businesses.
How Iris Recognition Works?
Iris recognition uses different technologies in the backend that enable software to differentiate across various age groups. This technology involves 5 steps that are as follows:
Image Capture
Image capturing is the first step of the iris verification solution. Just like face detection, iris technology works in a similar way. However, Facial Recognition works by extracting facial details, and iris technology focuses on the eyes. Each human eye contains a unique pattern that is scanned for further recognition. For this step, a dedicated scanner helps the system extract the intricate iris patterns.
Feature Extraction
After capturing the iris clearly from the camera or a sensor, feature extraction occurs. In this step, the system looks for different characteristics to record or maintain the eye data. For instance, it analyzes the furrow arrangement, inside ring size, and crypts present in the human eye. These features are unique as every human being is different. This is why iris recognition technology qualifies for biometric verification. Feature extraction algorithm detects the pupil location first, excluding the unnecessary parts such as the eyelids and lashes. Then the iris image is further divided for clear scanning and evaluation.
Iris Code Creation
The third step is the conversion of the extracted data into a digital template that the system can read and store easily. This template serves as the mathematical calculations for each iris that help the system in easy comparison with other iris data present in the repository. In the industry, this digital template is referred to as unique iris code.
Matching
Step four of the iris recognition process is matching with the data present in the system. For instance, whenever the user scans the eye through the sensor, the iris Recognition System performs the above necessary prerequisite steps until it reaches this point of matching the data. If the patterns match the existing data in the system, the software marks the user as valid, on the other side, it denies the user authenticity and prompts the system to perform another scan.
Authentication
Security authentication is the last step of the iris recognition process which is integral. In this phase, the system matches the results of the previous phase and makes the decision to allow or deny access to the user. This is a crucial implementation for businesses as authentication lies at the heart of biometric verification outcomes.
Pros and Cons of Iris Recognition over Other Biometrics
Iris recognition provides a number of advantages over other biometric methods such as fingerprint verification and face recognition. However, there are cons as well that come with iris detection technology. Here is a complete breakdown of the pros and cons of iris recognition technology in comparison with other Biometric Verification methods across the industry.
Pros
Accuracy
Iris recognition technology performs with high accuracy under ideal conditions. Furthermore, iris detection offers a low false match rate as compared to other detections, especially facial recognition. Iris recognition patterns work on algorithms that extract iris codes which offer higher accuracy than facial nodes in facial recognition.
Speed
Iris recognition is blazing fast and works in mere fractions to authenticate the user’s identity. With the recommended hardware and ideal conditions for the sensor, iris recognition software outshines other methods by performing over a million template-matching checks per second.
Stability
Iris recognition technology works on John Daugman’s IrisCode algorithms in general which is highly stable and efficient with low match rates. The nature of the human iris is quite stable as compared to facial details and fingerprints. Both fingerprints and facial traits can change over time. In contrast, irises remain stable until the user gets surgical treatment for the eyes.
Cons
Environment Limitation
Iris recognition technology requires a clear and visible image of the eye that the sensor can evaluate further. This requires a well-exposed eye with well-lit conditions and a clear camera or sensor lens. However, modern iris recognition software solutions are efficient enough to bypass this limitation and perform eye scanning even in low light. Some businesses implement laser detection to extract iris data which does not require bright lightning.
Hardware Constraint
Iris recognition solution is also limited to high-end systems or mobile phones that offer high-speed processors and memory management. However, modern AI solutions and algorithms enable much faster iris scanning, even on the cloud. But still, businesses and manufacturers incorporate iris recognition solutions with fast systems and devices.
Role of Iris Recognition Biometrics Across Different Industries
Businesses use Iris recognition widely for different purposes, from employee authentication to security detection in airports. Around 1.5 billion people have biometric data registered on a national level. 1.29 billion citizens of India verify themselves biometrically for border crossing. In this regard, iris recognition offers high resistance to false matches. Moreover, Pakistan’s national database authority also uses Iris recognition technology with the platform “IRIS” to register people on their portal and issue identity cards. Following the industry-level division for the use of iris recognition technology.
Smartphones
The smartphone industry is one of the primary consumers of iris recognition technology and offers easy-to-use access to this biometric solution. For instance, Samsung introduced an iris recognition feature into their smartphones. In their S8/Note8 series which intelligently identifies the characteristics of eye data. Users can use iris detection solutions for scanning via infrared rays which can authenticate them in various cases. Like unlocking a smartphone or making payments.
Banking
Iris recognition technology is becoming increasingly popular in the finance and banking sectors as multiple methods of biometric verification are becoming a convenience. The use of iris recognition technology helps banks, especially Neobanks to stay away from identity theft and digital transaction fraud. Iris enables them to verify customers in a two-step way such as with fingerprints or face. Moreover, banks are also incorporating iris recognition in ATM machines to enable customers to perform cardless transactions using just their biometrics. It is used for Fraud Dection.This is convenient as well as safe because it reduces the risk of ATM fraud or card fabrication attempts.
Healthcare
Today, biometric verification is a must in healthcare due to rising digital medical platforms as well as risks of patient fraud and exploitation of facilities. Iris recognition plays an integral role in this regard as well. It allows health centers to verify the identities of aged people who cannot use fingerprints or other methods of biometric authentication. Moreover, iris Recognition Technology allows doctors to identify their patients’ records remotely, reducing manual verification checks.
Future of Iris Recognition
Iris recognition is not limited to just biometric authentication as it can be used in various handled devices such as wearables. Other than authentication, iris scanners can help tech businesses improve machine learning principles with more accurate predictions using human eye data. However, for this organizations have to clearly mention the use of eye data to their customers to avoid compliance failures.
Final Thoughts
In a world of digital interactions and remote working, biometric verification is a compulsory process. It helps businesses stay away from fraud and identity theft. Iris recognition emerges as a key solution in this regard due to its highly stable and accurate authentication. It also offers low false rates in comparison to other methods and works much faster. The rise of modern tech algorithms and machine learning-based biometric software makes iris recognition much more efficient for various use cases. By utilizing complex algorithms, businesses can not only just verify their customers but also save time, finances, and efforts of traditional authentication. Iris recognition technology carries a high potential for future applications across different industries. Let’s see what new advancements bring to this remarkable piece of technology.
FAQs
What are iris recognition limitations?
Iris recognition technology has its constraints, such as distance, the angle at which the image is being captured, lightning, and hardware limitations. Inefficient implementation of this technology can cause the risk of false acceptance.
What is the difference between iris and retina biometrics?
Iris and retina are not the same processes, as the iris is an externally visible part of the eye while the retina is more focused on scanning blood vessels using low-energy infrared light.
How is iris recognition better than other biometrics?
Iris recognition is more stable and secure as compared to other means of biometric authentication solutions.
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