BlackBerry 7 Smartphones to Support Iris Recognition Biometrics 
RIM has announced they are to support the secure storage of an Iris ID biometric template. Today, Iris ID Systems Inc. and HID Global announced that the IrisAccess platform iCAM7000 can be used with select NFC enabled BlackBerry 7 smartphones. NFC enables smartphones to become even smarter mobile computing platforms, and this is another great example that demonstrates the potential that NFC on mobile devices brings to the physical access control space.
Using a NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone, the iris templates of a user are securely stored to an iCLASS digital credential on the phone. That credential can then be presented for authentication by simply holding the NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone in front of an iCAM7000 series iris camera, just like users do today with a physical iCLASS smart card. Check out the full press release below.
Press Release
Iris ID Systems Inc. Announces Interoperability Between Its IrisAccess Platform and NFC-Enabled BlackBerry Smartphones Equipped with HID Global`s iCLASS Digital Keys
CRANBURY, NJ. and IRVINE, Calif. â€" ISC West 2012 - Iris ID Systems Inc., formerly LG Electronics, Iris Technology Division, a leading provider of iris biometric technology, and HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, announced that the IrisAccess® platform iCAM7000 can be used with select NFC (Near Field Communications)-enabled BlackBerry® 7 smartphones. The BlackBerry® Boldâ„¢ 9900/9930 smartphones activated with HID Global’s iCLASS® digital credentials will be compatible with the installed base of iCLASS readers that are embedded in the iCAM 7000 series for applications ranging from physical access systems in buildings to applications that track time and attendance, and other identity dependent applications.
Using a NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone, the iris templates of a user are securely stored to an iCLASS digital credential on the phone. That credential can then be presented for authentication by simply holding the NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone in front of an iCAM7000 series iris camera, just like users do today with a physical iCLASS smart card.
Iris ID will demonstrate iCLASS credentials using the NFC capabilities of the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone at the ISC West conference, March 28-30, in booth #4043 at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Charles Koo, President and CEO of Iris ID Systems Inc. said, “As a long time HID Connect® Premier Partner, we are excited to be part of this new implementation which allows iris technology to be coupled with a NFC-enabled smartphone. This is a key milestone for our identification technology; iris recognition is a perfect solution for providing strong authentication for enterprise security. As we did with iCLASS credentials some years ago, we are pleased to be first in bringing iris recognition biometrics to a host of secure identity dependent access control applications with NFC-enabled smartphones.â€
“This is an important milestone in the deployment of mobile access and identity solutions using NFC technology on smartphones,†said Dr. Tam Hulusi, Senior Vice President of Strategic Innovation with HID Global. “NFC-enabled smartphones represent a complementary new platform that we believe will expand the access control market and our card services business while improving user security and convenience.â€
Andrew Bocking, VP Handheld Software Product Management, at RIM, said, “Having added NFC capabilities to a range of our BlackBerry 7 smartphones, we’re excited to be able to support the secure storage of an Iris ID biometric template to an iCLASS credential. NFC enables smartphones to become even smarter mobile computing platforms, and this is another great example that demonstrates the potential that NFC on mobile devices brings to the physical access control space.â€
Pilot programs using BlackBerry smartphones activated with iCLASS digital credentials and iris identification are planned for later this year. HID Global expects that its embedded iCLASS technology will be generally available for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350/9360 smartphones later this year.
About Iris ID Systems Inc.Â
Iris ID Systems Inc., formerly a division of LG Electronics USA known as LG IRIS, has been active in iris recognition research, development and production since 1997. Today U.S.-based Iris ID Systems is a proven global leader in the iris recognition market. IrisAccess™ is the world’s most widely deployed iris recognition platform, used in thousands of locations authenticating the identities of millions of people. More people look to IrisAccess™ for iris-based authentication than to all other iris recognition products combined. To find out more about Iris ID, visit www.irisid.com.
About HID GlobalÂ
HID Global is the trusted source for secure identity solutions for millions of customers around the world. Recognized for robust quality, innovative designs and industry leadership, HID Global is the supplier of choice for OEMs, system integrators, and application developers serving a variety of markets. These markets include physical and logical access control, including strong authentication and credential management; card printing and personalization; highly secure government ID; and identification technologies used in animal ID and industry and logistics applications. The company’s primary brands include HID®, ActivIdentity®, FARGO®, and LaserCard®. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global has over 2,100 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID Global is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. For more information, visit www.hidglobal.com.
Iris ID logo and IrisAccess are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Iris ID Systems. HID, the HID logo and iCLASS are trademarks or registered trademarks of HID Global in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, and product or service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.
