Greek scientists develop brain scanning biometrics
Electroencephalography reveals unique neural pathways that could be used for identification; as with iris scans,some question whether users will cooperate; Polish team says a similar system achieved 88 percent accuracy
For those worried that finger scanners might be defeated by cutting off an authorized user’s finger, here is a biometric security system that seems unbeatable. Greek researchers at the Center for Research and Technology Hellas have developed a method of identfying people by their brain waves using standard methods of electroencephalography (EEG). EEG is typically used by scientists to conduct studies of brain function and to diagnose diseases such as epilipsy and dementia, but it is also known that each individual has its own unique neural pathways, and EEG can easily detect them.
Of course, those being authenticated under this system must submit themselves to an EEG beforehand — raising some of the social comfort issues involved with iris scans — and when later identifying themselves must wear a wireless cap that transmits the data to a computer. “We ask them to close their eyes and not speak”, one of the Greek researchers explained. It provides “a much clearer picture.” In the future, users might also be asked to perform certain tasks during the enrollment and authentication procedures, thereby creating a data base of individual signatures.
A separate group, led by Rafal Wardziński at Warsaw University of Technology in Poland, is also working on EEG biometrics. In testing, the group found that the method could identify subjects with 88 percent accuracy.
-read more in Will Knights’s New Scientist report
