Researchers developing sophisticated biometric spoof detection system with IARPA backing

A researcher at the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute is working with an international team to build spoof-proof biometric authentication systems, according to an article published by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

The team being led by USC researcher Wael Abd-Almageed uses additional scans to compliment biometric data, such as blood flow data captured by lasers, and material detection with shortwave infrared sensors. The system uses those in different combinations with other data sources such as 3D cameras and analyzes the data with artificial intelligence algorithms.

“We fuse all the information to provide rich data for the algorithm to give you a much better analysis of somebody’s face, iris and fingerprint,” according to Abd-Almageed.

The project is backed by IARPA, which recently awarded the group a second round of funding to work on a system to prevent a facial, iris, or fingerprint biometric spoof attack method never seen before.

“I think our technology could have great humanitarian impact by making people more secure,” says Abd-Almageed. “Everybody’s anticipating that biometrics are going to be the standard way to do many business transactions in the future, from ATMs to border controls to smartphone access. We’re working to detect spoofing and protect lives.”

Concern about spoof attacks is moving beyond the biometrics industry with increased use of biometric authentication and the evolving threat of deepfakes.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  IARPA  |  research and development  |  secure transactions  |  spoofing