A Performance Assessment Framework for Mobile Biometrics

This project aims to develop and explore a robust framework for assessing biometric systems on mobile platforms, where data is often collected in non-constrained, potentially challenging environments. The framework enables the performance assessment given a particular platform, biometric modality, usage environment, user base and required security level. The ubiquity of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets has increased access to Internet-based services across various scenarios and environments. Citizens use mobile platforms for an ever-expanding set of services and interactions, often transferring personal information, and conducting financial transactions. Accurate identity authentication for physical access to the device and service is, therefore, critical to ensure the security of the individual, information, and transaction. Biometrics provides an established alternative to conventional authentication methods. Mobile devices offer considerable opportunities to utilise biometric data from an enhanced range of sensors alongside temporal information on the use of the device itself. For example, cameras and dedicated fingerprint devices can capture front-line physiological biometric samples (already used for device log-on applications and payment authorisation schemes such as Apple Pay) alongside voice capture using conventional microphones. Understanding the performance of these biometric modalities is critical to assessing suitability for deployment. Providing a robust performance and security assessment given a set of deployment variables is critical to ensure appropriate security and accuracy. Conventional biometrics testing is typically performed in controlled, constrained environments that fail to encapsulate mobile systems' daily (and developing) use. This thesis aims to develop an understanding of biometric performance on mobile devices. The impact of different mobile platforms, and the range of environmental conditions in use, on biometrics' accuracy, usability, security, and utility is poorly understood. This project will also examine the application and performance of mobile biometrics when in motion

A multi-layer approach for estimating the Energy Use Intensity on an urban scale

Various governments are planning their cities to be climate responsive by reducing the energy consumption and carbon emissions according to different scenarios whilst maintaining good indoor comfort conditions. A robust and reliable tool that can estimate the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of a city is required. This paper presents a new bottom-up engineering-based multi-layer approach able to analyse the energy performance of existing settlements of every size by retaining as much information as possible about their complexities. The process involves i) creating a 3D model of the urban area, ii) building up templates representing different building characteristics such as functions, the age-band of the buildings and operating schedules, iii) running dynamic thermal simulations and iv) displaying the EUI or total energy demand in the 3D model which can be post-processed for further analysis. This approach offers a flexible simulation process according to various purposes, which is particularly useful in decision-making for urban energy retrofitting or planning for new areas. The hourly high-resolution outcomes would benefit the detailed analysis of energy efficiency strategies in order to achieve carbon reduction. The application of this approach is demonstrated for the case of Yuzhong district in Chongqing municipality, China

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this document provide a set of good practices related to security testing and the development of test documentation. This technical guideline has been written to help the vendor and evaluator community understand what deliverables are required for test documentation, as well as the level of detail required of security testing at all classes in the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria. As the Director, National Computer Security Center, Invite your suggestions for revision to this technical guideline. We plan to review this document as the need arises. National Computer Security Center Attention: Chief, Standard, Criteria and Guidelines Division 9800 Savage Road Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-6000 Patrick R. Gallagher, Jr. January, 1994 Director National Computer Security Center Page