Biometrics-as-a-Service: A Framework to Promote Innovative Biometric Recognition in the Cloud

Biometric recognition, or simply biometrics, is the use of biological attributes such as face, fingerprints or iris in order to recognize an individual in an automated manner. A key application of biometrics is authentication; i.e., using said biological attributes to provide access by verifying the claimed identity of an individual. This paper presents a framework for Biometrics-as-a-Service (BaaS) that performs biometric matching operations in the cloud, while relying on simple and ubiquitous consumer devices such as smartphones. Further, the framework promotes innovation by providing interfaces for a plurality of software developers to upload their matching algorithms to the cloud. When a biometric authentication request is submitted, the system uses a criteria to automatically select an appropriate matching algorithm. Every time a particular algorithm is selected, the corresponding developer is rendered a micropayment. This creates an innovative and competitive ecosystem that benefits both software developers and the consumers. As a case study, we have implemented the following: (a) an ocular recognition system using a mobile web interface providing user access to a biometric authentication service, and (b) a Linux-based virtual machine environment used by software developers for algorithm development and submission

Challenges of Multi-Factor Authentication for Securing Advanced IoT (A-IoT) Applications

The unprecedented proliferation of smart devices together with novel communication, computing, and control technologies have paved the way for the Advanced Internet of Things~(A-IoT). This development involves new categories of capable devices, such as high-end wearables, smart vehicles, and consumer drones aiming to enable efficient and collaborative utilization within the Smart City paradigm. While massive deployments of these objects may enrich people's lives, unauthorized access to the said equipment is potentially dangerous. Hence, highly-secure human authentication mechanisms have to be designed. At the same time, human beings desire comfortable interaction with their owned devices on a daily basis, thus demanding the authentication procedures to be seamless and user-friendly, mindful of the contemporary urban dynamics. In response to these unique challenges, this work advocates for the adoption of multi-factor authentication for A-IoT, such that multiple heterogeneous methods - both well-established and emerging - are combined intelligently to grant or deny access reliably. We thus discuss the pros and cons of various solutions as well as introduce tools to combine the authentication factors, with an emphasis on challenging Smart City environments. We finally outline the open questions to shape future research efforts in this emerging field.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. The work has been accepted for publication in IEEE Network, 2019. Copyright may be transferred without notice, after which this version may no longer be accessibl

INFORMATION SECURITY: A STUDY ON BIOMETRIC SECURITY SOLUTIONS FOR TELECARE MEDICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

This exploratory study provides a means for evaluating and rating Telecare medical information systems in order to provide a more effective security solution. This analysis of existing solutions was conducted via an in-depth study of Telecare security. This is a proposition for current biometric technologies as a new means for secure communication of private information over public channels. Specifically, this research was done in order to provide a means for businesses to evaluate prospective technologies from a 3 dimensional view in order to make am accurate decision on any given biometric security technology. Through identifying key aspects of what makes a security solution the most effective in minimizing risk of a patient’s confidential data being exposed we were then able to create a 3 dimensional rubric to see not only from a business view but also the users such as the patients and doctors that use Telecare medical information systems every day. Finally, we also need to understand the implications of biometric solutions from a technological standpoint

Do biometric payment systems work during the COVID‑19 pandemic? Insights from the Spanish users’ viewpoint

The authors would like to thank the support provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, National R&D&I Plan and FEDER (B-SEJ-209-UGR18).Technological developments are changing how users pay for goods and services. In the context of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, new payment systems have been established to reduce contact between buyer and seller. In addition to the pandemic, the future is payment processing is also uncertain due to the new EU security regulations of the Payment Services Directive (PSD2). Biometric payments one option that would guarantee the security of transactions and reduce the risk of contagion. This research analyses the intention to recommend the use of the mobile phone as a tool for collecting payments in a shop using iris reading as a biometric measure of the buyer. The moderating effect of the fear of contagion in the proposed relationships was also analysed. An online survey was carried out, which yielded a sample of 368 respondents. The results indicate that the main antecedents of intention to use, which precedes intention to recommend, are perceived trust, habit, personal innovativeness and comfort of use. Additionally, the moderating effect of COVID-19 was checked among users with a higher perception of risk. The results obtained have interesting implications for purchase management among manufacturers and retailers.Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, National RDI PlanEuropean Commission B-SEJ-209-UGR1

Efficacy of morpho-geometrical analysis of the corneal surfaces in keratoconus disease according to moderate visual limitation

The cornea is a complex hemispheric structure, made of collagen fibres that provide it a homogenous and stable geometry. During keratoconus disease, a loss of tenacity takes place in the collagen fibres that form the corneal structure, producing an alteration of its geometry, this is, a change of its curvature, and therefore, a loss of visual quality of patients. The geometric characterization of the hemispheric structure by means of biometric parameters is a very solid technique of diagnosis, based in a virtual 3D model, which has already been validated for several degrees of severity of keratoconus pathology. In this prospective comparative study, 93 corneas (50 healthy subjects and 43 patients with keratoconus with moderate visual limitation) were geometrically modelled. The results obtained in this work suggest that the best predictive biometric parameters are anterior corneal surface area and posterior apex deviation, and that the strongest correlation is produced between sagittal plane apex area in minimum thickness point and sagittal plane apex area. The studied biometric parameters have shown significant differences between groups. Therefore, the analysis of the biometric parameters that register the geometric decompensation that locally appear in a corneal region, as a response to the asymmetry produced during the development of keratoconus disease with a moderate visual impairment, is a new approach that may lead to a better understanding of the disease with this degree of optical limitation.This publication has been carried out in the framework of the Thematic Network for Co-Operative Research in Health (RETICS) reference number RD16/0008/0012 financed by the Carlos III Health Institute-General Subdirection of Networks and Cooperative Investigation Centres (R&D&I National Plan 2013-2016) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)