Iris ID Systems Inc., formerly LG Electronics’ Iris Technology Division, and HID Global announced that the IrisAccess platform iCAM7000 can be used with select near field communications-enabled BlackBerry 7 smart phones.

The BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 smart phones 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 iris camera which is used for applications ranging from physical access systems in buildings, to time and attendance and other identity dependent applications.

Using a NFC-enabled BlackBerry smart phone, the iris templates of a user is securely stored to the iCLASS credential on the phone instead of a plastic card. That credential can then be presented for authentication by simply holding the NFC-enabled BlackBerry smart phone in front of an iCAM7000 series iris camera, just like users do today with a physical iCLASS smart card. The iris camera then matches the presented iris with the one stored on the phone and determines if there’s a match.

Pilot programs using BlackBerry smart phones 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 smart phones later this year.

Iris ID will demonstrate iCLASS credentials using the NFC capabilities of the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smart phone at the ISC West conference, March 28-30, in booth #4043 at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas.