Unlocking smartphones via fingerprint scanners or facial recognition are well-known examples of biometric applications in which individuals are identified based on unique physical characteristics. However, such systems are exposed to various types of attacks, for example through artificially generated facial images used in forged identity documents. One research focus of the new professorship will therefore be to better identify and defend against specific attacks on biometric systems.

Acceptance is key to successful use

Machine learning, an AI training method, and computer vision are also used in biometrics. When developing systems that directly analyze human characteristics, ethical considerations and personal rights must therefore be taken into account. “For our research, it is fundamentally important to ensure that data privacy is safeguarded during the development and deployment of biometric systems,” says Naser Damer. In addition, user acceptance is crucial for the successful use of biometric solutions. For this reason, it is important to design systems transparently. “Our research also aims to make it understandable to users why a system makes certain decisions,” he explains. It helps users to know which characteristics are used to identify them or potentially flag them—for example, whether access is denied because they are wearing sunglasses rather than due to their skin color.

Another challenge for biometric systems is that they must work equally well for all skin tones and genders—an issue related to the quality of the data on which the system was trained. Naser Damer therefore relies on the use of synthetically generated datasets that prevent discrimination based on skin color, gender, age, or other characteristics while also eliminating data protection concerns.

More about the new professorship

The professorship “Biometrics, Human Analysis and Behavior Understanding (BHABU)” was established within the framework of the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE as a joint appointment between TU Darmstadt and Fraunhofer IGD. It is a permanent position and supports the intensification of collaboration between Fraunhofer IGD and TU Darmstadt within ATHENE.

Interview about his work at ATHENE

About Naser Damer

Naser Damer studied electrical engineering at TU Kaiserslautern and received his doctorate in computer science from TU Darmstadt in 2018. He has been working at Fraunhofer IGD since 2011, focusing on applied research, scientific consulting, and the evaluation of biometric systems. Within ATHENE, he is one of the coordinators of the research area “Next Generation Biometric Systems,” in which researchers focus on the security of biometric methods.

About ATHENE

The National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE is a research institution of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and consolidates cybersecurity research from the Fraunhofer Institutes SIT and IGD as well as TU Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt, and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. ATHENE is among the world’s leading IT security research centers and is the largest of its kind in Europe.

Further information on the new professorship at TU Darmstadt:
https://www.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/gris/startseite_1/team/team_details_111552.de.jsp

Information on Naser Damer’s research team at Fraunhofer IGD:
https://www.igd.fraunhofer.de/de/institut/mitarbeitende/naser-damer.html#1

Naser Damer’s research at ATHENE:
https://www.athene-center.de/forschung/ngbs