By Cheryl Currid

If you have avoided biometric technology because of its price, it is time to look again.

I've just reviewed several new products that fit the budgets and security needs of people everywhere, from the home office to corporate giants. Even public security screening -- such as airports, sporting events or concert venues -- could be rapidly and inexpensively deployed using this technology.

The most exciting of the new products serves dual duty -- Web cam and iris scanner. No, I'm not kidding. It actually does both, and it really works.

Some wizards at Panasonic and Iridian Technologies teamed up to create the Panasonic Authenticam with PrivateID. It's an easy-to-install, inexpensive device that makes me believe that nearly foolproof identification is at hand -- or should I say, in sight.

To many experts, iris recognition is the zenith of biometric technology -- even better than fingerprints. Iris recognition is based on the richly detailed color bands around the pupil. It is well-protected from the environment and constant over time. In fact, it is complete and fully formed at birth. Even for identical twins, or between the left and right eye of the same person, no two irises are alike. Some experts believe it is as powerful and unique as your DNA.

The PrivateID technology scans for 247 independent variables in the iris, which is higher than fingerprint verification systems, which scan for 80. To use it, you need only to glance at a location on the camera. There's no need to touch anything, be subjected to bright lights or be scanned by a laser. Even for the camera-shy, there are no worries. The authentication is performed at a distance of 19 to 21 inches.

To set up the system, you need only to connect the Authenticam to the USB port of your computer and install the software from the included CD. You'll then be asked to register each of your eyes. To do so, you line up the camera to the correct position and look at it. You know when you're at the right spot, because you can see a small orange light in the center of the device light up. Once that light turns green, it's captured the image of your iris.

When I tested it, it worked great. It could tell the difference between me and others in my company, and detected me even when I was wearing eyeglasses. In fact, when I tried to trick it and create two unique profiles for me, it wouldn't let me. It remembered my eye scan and wouldn't let me be create the second ID. While it had a few challenges with one of my colleagues, once he got better iris images into the system, it recognized him every time.

The SecureSuite software included with the Authenticam includes support for local PC logon for up to six users, a password vault that stores passwords for Web sites, a utility to secure files and folders on your hard drive, and a program that lets only authorized users launch particular applications.

What makes the device even more attractive is that it also can be used as a fully functional video conferencing camera. It integrates with Windows Messenger and other standard video conferencing applications.

Here's the best part: its price. At $239, it is a bargain. For more information about the Panasonic Authenticam, model BM-ET100US, check out http://www.iridiantech.com/.