News in Brief
NIST Advances Face Biometrics Evaluation Algorithms
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released its ‘Face Analysis Technology Evaluation (FATE) Part 11 report’ 1 on the assessment of face image quality vectors, a critical facet in advancing face biometrics technology.
The report observes substantial improvements in image quality assessment algorithms submitted for evaluation. These algorithms play a pivotal role in detecting specific defects that could significantly impact the success of face biometrics matches. Of particular significance were contributions from Secunet Security Networks (secunet), coupled with modified measures aligning with ISO/IEC standards, which proved instrumental.
Submissions were entered by Digidata, Neurotechnology, Fraunhofer IGD, IDEMIA and Seamfix, along with two from secunet.
What stands out in the report is the acknowledgment that all 13 submitted algorithms, including the two from secunet, exhibited varying degrees of success in measuring a diverse spectrum of quality- related parameters. In particular, some algorithms demonstrated a marked reduction in false non-match rates (FNMR) when used for discarding lower quality images.
The comprehensive evaluation included considerations such as machine-readable travel documents, processing speed, face count accuracy, and an exhaustive assessment of various quality-related parameters. This development underscores a significant stride towards enhancing the accuracy, reliability, and overall efficacy of face biometrics technology.
NIST actively invites industry feedback on these evaluations, fostering a collaborative atmosphere aimed at refining and advancing face biometrics technology.
FTC Cautions Against QR Code Scanning for Identity Theft Risks
As quick response (QR) codes increasingly weave into the fabric of modern business transactions, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sounded a critical alarm concerning potential identity theft risks associated with their scanning 2.
While the convenience these codes offer is undeniable, enabling seamless interactions at various businesses and retail outlets, the flip side reveals a looming threat when malicious QR codes come into play.
In a world where consumer QR code scanning is commonplace, the FTC’s cautionary advice takes on paramount importance. The technology, while providing businesses insights into customer behaviour, also becomes a tool for nefarious actors to stealthily execute identity theft schemes.
The financial devastation wrought by identity theft is substantial, with victims facing drained bank accounts, unauthorised credit card charges, and even false legal entanglements. The modus operandi of scammers includes placing their QR codes in commonplace locations or sending unsolicited codes via text or email, luring individuals into unwittingly compromising their personal information.
The FTC’s advice in this regard is clear: exercise caution, inspect unexpected codes, and regularly update phone software. Identity theft prevention, in the age of QR codes, becomes a collective responsibility, necessitating awareness and proactive cybersecurity measures.
‘Only scan QR codes from sources you trust,’ said Mike Scheumack, Chief Innovation Officer at IdentityIQ, an identity theft protection company. ‘Fraudulent QR codes can take you to fake websites or install malware all with the same purpose: to steal your identity and money’.
Digital Health Passports: Addressing Challenges for Global Adoption
The ongoing battle against global infectious diseases, epitomised by the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought into sharp focus the imperative for effective cross-border pandemic control using effective identity management. Digital health passports (DHPs) have emerged as a promising solution, offering a secure repository for critical health information, including vaccination records and test results linked to secure personal data.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) – a global mechanism that can support bilateral verification of the provenance of health documents for pandemic preparedness and continuity of care (see IDN July 2023).
However, as a research paper recently published in ‘Globalisation and Health’ explores 3, the implementation of DHPs is not without its formidable challenges. Geographical barriers pose complexities, encompassing disparities in vaccine access, regulatory inconsistencies, variations in data security and privacy policies across countries, interoperability challenges, and inadequacies in technological infrastructure. Bridging these gaps necessitates a comprehensive approach for successful global adoption.
Practical challenges further compound the DHP landscape, involving nuances such as vaccine contraindications, uncertainties surrounding natural immunity, and limitations of standard tests in assessing infection risk.
A proposed framework emerges in the research paper emphasising international collaboration to achieve equitable vaccine access, unified vaccine regulatory frameworks, globally accepted standards for data privacy and protection, implementation of interoperability protocols, and concerted efforts to bridge the digital divide.
IATA Rolls Out New Travel Document
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced a revamped travel documentation and verification system, Timatic AutoCheck, aiming to streamline processes and enhance the passenger experience.
With global passenger traffic expected to double by 2040 4, the aviation industry seeks continued optimisation of airport procedures. Timatic AutoCheck automates the document checking process, providing tailored instructions for passengers, airlines, and travel professionals. The system’s redesign includes simplified and user-friendly travel regulations, an interactive data-driven approach, practical recommendations, and enhanced automation for self-service check-in.
Timatic, operational since the 1960s, facilitates over one billion annual passenger document checks by relying on diverse sources, including governments, airlines, and airports, to ensure accurate and real- time information.
1 -https://pages.nist.gov/frvt/reports/quality_sidd/frvt_quality_sidd_report.pdf
2 - www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/file/764151/download
3 - https://globalizationandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12992-023-00998-7
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