What are the differences between 1:N authentication and 1:1 authentication?

What are the differences between 1:N authentication and 1:1 authentication?

1:N authentication, also known as one-to-many authentication or one-to-group authentication, is a method of biometric authentication that involves matching an individual's biometric data against a database of multiple biometric templates to find a match. In other words, the system searches for a match for the individual's biometric data among a group of users.

On the other hand, 1:1 authentication, also known as one-to-one authentication or verification, is a method of biometric authentication that involves comparing an individual's biometric data against a single stored template to confirm the identity of the user. In other words, the system only verifies the identity of the individual who presents the biometric data.

The main difference between 1:N and 1:1 authentication is that 1:N authentication is used for identification purposes, where the system searches a database for a match and provides the identity of the individual. In contrast, 1:1 authentication is used for verification purposes, where the system confirms that the individual presenting the biometric data matches the stored template.

1:N authentication is commonly used in applications such as border control, criminal identification, and access control systems, while 1:1 authentication is commonly used for everyday authentication purposes, such as unlocking a smartphone or logging into a computer.

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