Universities to research behavioral biometrics as passive authentication layer

The University of Louisville (UofL) in Kentucky will conduct research into the use of behavioral and typing biometrics as a digital signature for cybersecurity applications as part of a new healthcare-focused project to foster cybersecurity talent in the city, UL News reports.

The online program was developed by the UofL’s Center for Digital Transformation and had received $6 million in funding from the National Security Agency (NSA).

The project includes $300,000 in funding for research into security biometrics, and will be carried out in collaboration with Alcorn State University in Mississippi, one of several related projects in which UofL will work with other universities.

The efforts behind the novel biometric authentication method using neural network models will be led by Adel Elmaghraby, co-PI for the entire project and professor in the UofL Speed School of Engineering.

The team will research whether a person’s computer keystrokes and mouse movements can be used to generate a digital signature as a security layer for multi-factor authentication solutions.

The pilot phase of the Healthcare Cybersecurity Workforce Certificate is also included, incorporating technology badging from Microsoft, IBM, and Google, and will provide training for 200 first responders and military veterans.

Each academic institution participating is designated by the NSA as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, with the list including the University of Arkansas Little Rock, the University of North Florida, and more.

Article Topics

access management  |  behavioral biometrics  |  biometric research  |  biometrics  |  cybersecurity  |  healthcare  |  NSA  |  online authentication