Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences and BSI open biometric evaluation center. A continuous evaluation operation should enable studies on biometric systems, also in the sovereign area of application, and applied research under one roof to improve biometrics.
From border control to paying by smartphone: Biometric systems are an essential method for authenticating users. The advancing digitization and the automation of the processes increase the importance of the biometric systems. At the same time, the requirements for reliability and security are increasing. In order to improve biometric systems and make them more secure, the Institute for Security Research (IFS) at the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) have worked together for the past three years the Biometric Evaluation Center (BEZ) built up.
Institute wants to improve biometric systems
Many passengers entering or leaving the European Union by plane are familiar with this situation: First, during an automated check at a so-called eGate, they have to present their passport, which is then read electronically. In the next step, a photo is taken, which the system compares in its neural network with the digital photo from the document in a matter of seconds. If it recognizes a match and verifies the passenger, the gate opens.
This is where the particular challenge of this technology becomes apparent: Whether for certification of security or for the development of new sensors and processes, every time software or hardware is changed, a biometric system must always be re-evaluated with as many people as possible and as extensive as possible attack tests. The higher the security requirements, the more it has to be tested. So far, this has been a major stumbling block for security authorities and research institutes alike, as there are hardly any possibilities for such evaluations.
Constant evaluation of new systems
Im WITHOUT there are several eGates that are regularly evaluated by the BSI. One of these can be flexibly expanded to include new biometric and counterfeit detection technologies from the H-BRS researchers and compared with the others. With a sensor technology developed by H-BRS, they can determine, for example, whether it is skin or another material. New 3D cameras are also being examined for their suitability for verifying faces and, in particular, for detecting forgeries. A direct comparison with the state of the art enables faster and better advances in security technologies.
The aim is for the BEZ to establish itself as a manufacturer-independent instance for users, manufacturers and certifiers. The interlinking of research and teaching as well as public participation will also be important. “There should be a close connection between research and teaching, from projects and theses to doctorates,” says H-BRS project manager Professor Norbert Jung. “We have a very short path between basic research and applied research.” When new questions and requirements arise, you can use the WITHOUT be picked up quickly.
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About the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) is the federal cyber security authority and the creator of secure digitization in Germany. The guiding principle: As the federal cyber security authority, the BSI designs information security in digitization through prevention, detection and reaction for the state, economy and society.