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Biometric technologies, such as fingerprint identification, iris scanning and face recognition systems, are playing an increasing role in protecting businesses, customers and travellers. Why is that? Primarily because biometrics allow for the automation of identity verification, bringing value to virtually every industry. Identification becomes faster and more accurate, freeing up employees to do value-added work and reducing costs. Customers also receive better, speedier service.

In recent years, we've seen face, voice and fingerprint identification software move from Sci-Fi films into real-life affordable devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Now, that initiative is being pushed to even greater heights, as the TABULA RASA consortium, which is supported by EU research and innovation investment, sets out to identify just how well this new software works. In particular, it will be measuring this against the growing phenomenon of 'spoofing' - ie, using everyday materials such as make-up, photographs and voice recordings to subvert or directly attack biometric systems.

Biometric systems have proven to be one of the most efficient security solutions available today. However, some biometric sensor vulnerabilities still exist, including some that have been well publicised in the International media.

NEW BREED
The TABULA RASA consortium comprises 12 organisations across seven countries that have worked together over a period of three years to research as many vulnerabilities as possible, in order to develop countermeasures and, ultimately, a new breed of safer biometric systems.

In the course of its research, TABULA RASA hosted a 'Spoofing Challenge', which invited researchers from around the world to develop attack plans and to attempt to deceive various biometric systems. Participants showed that there are many different and creative ways to attack the systems. The most innovative attack proposed during this challenge used make-up to spoof a 2D face recognition system and succeeded in being recognised as the victim. Other contestants used well-known attacks, such as photographs, masks or fake fingerprints ('gummy fingers'), to successfully spoof the systems.

As Dr Sébastien Marcel, cooordinator of the TABULA RASA project, points out: "It would have been impossible to conduct such large-scale research and to collaborate with so many EU partners, without the investment from the European Union. As well as more secure devices and information, the improved software will offer quicker log-ins to IT equipment, and faster more accurate border control and passport verification,” he adds. “We believe that many different organisations will be interested in our research, including technology companies, post offices, banks, manufacturers of mobile devices or online service providers."

The EU invested 4.4 million Euro in the TABULA RASA project, which was used alongside a 1.6 million Euro investment by the consortium to carry out the extensive research and testing involved.

SPOOFING ATTACKS
The TABULA RASA research project has made an extensive list of possible spoofing attacks, evaluated the vulnerability of biometric systems to such attacks and developed countermeasures that, for instance, detect signs of 'liveness' (eg, blinking, perspiration) and improve security of biometric systems. TABULA RASA has already transferred five of these countermeasures to companies. This in-depth knowledge about spoofing attacks allows European industries to maintain their leadership by improving conception of future spoofing-proof biometric sensors, thus opening up the huge potential of biometric technology.

The project is expected to create jobs within the European SME sector, as the results are integrated into commercialised solutions. For example, KeyLemon, a Swiss-based start-up, has integrated a face recognition software countermeasure, developed by TABULA RASA, into a final product. The expertise developed in the project helped KeyLemon to secure a series A investment of US$1.5 million, creating jobs within the company. Morpho, the world leader in biometric solutions, is also deeply involved, bringing its invaluable expertise and market vision to the consortium.

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