How secure is the digital „I“?

Kristin Biegner, Forschungsreferentin in der Abteilung Sichere Gesellschaft der Cyberagentur. Montage: BZ/IK/Cyberagentur

Research assignment: New standards in digital authentication

The Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit (Cyberagentur) has launched a new ground-breaking project to take digital identity security to a new level. The research project „Digital authentication using novel biometric methods“ (AuBi) aims to set new standards for digital authentication using novel biometric methods.

In a world in which digital profiles and identities are increasingly interlinked and personal data plays a central role, „AuBi“ represents a decisive step towards closing security gaps. By using specific biometric data based on physical, psychological and behavioural characteristics, digital identities are to be made forgery-proof. „We want to effectively prevent the misuse of the digital ‚I‘ in the future and significantly strengthen user privacy,“ emphasises project manager Kristin Biegner, research officer in the Cyberagentur’s Secure Society department.

The project is divided into three innovative subject areas: Stimulus-induced biometrics, behavioural biometrics and universal patterns. Each of these fields offers unique methods for securing authentication processes:

1. stimulus-induced biometrics: A specific stimulus is emitted, the physical reaction to which is recorded and used to create a unique stimulus-reaction pair. This process promises a high level of security against manipulation and data theft.

2. behavioural biometrics: individual behaviour, such as walking or typing on a smartphone, is used to ensure continuous authentication. Devices such as smartphones or tablets can be locked immediately if they fall into the hands of unauthorised persons.

3. universal patterns: This exciting new field of research investigates biometric patterns that can be triggered in the same and unique way for all people, and thus represents a promising direction for future authentication strategies.

Researchers are invited to apply to the Cyberagentur and become part of this pioneering initiative that aims to make digital identity more secure. „AuBi opens the door to a new era of digital security that is not only efficient but also user-friendly,“ says project manager Kristin Biegner.

The invitation to tender was published in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union with the contract award number 417702-2024: https://ted.europa.eu/de/… The closing date for the call for tenders is 08/15/2024.

Further information on the landing page:

https://www.cyberagentur.de/aubi/

German Version