The School of Engineering and Digital Arts has been awarded a €2.5 million grant from the European Commission for a research network that will address current issues facing the use of mobile devices to deliver biometric solutions.
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Integrated Training Network (ITN) grant, which will begin in January 2017, is being led by Kent’s Deputy Head of Engineering and Digital Arts, Dr Richard Guest.
The project will involve direct interaction with four other universities across Europe: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain), Roma Tre University (Italy), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (Germany) and Warsaw University of Technology (Poland). Researchers will also be working with European-wide industry partners including IBM, Nubo Solutions, ElevenPaths, Skalli, NASK, GenKey and Namirial.
This research will look at how biometrics (authentication of users through physiological or behaviour characteristics such as fingerprint, face or device interaction), can ensure both a balance of convenience and security on mobile devices.
In 2015, the UK Government’s Science and Technology Committee recognised the need to develop a strategic approach to the use of biometrics due to its fast-changing nature, and that although it provides an opportunity for better identity verification, this must be balanced against safe-guarding the rights of the individual from unnecessary intrusion or data misuse.
The School of Engineering and Digital Arts has a strong reputation for both its teaching and research. With strong industrial links, the School is engaged in high-quality research with significant national and international impact while offering excellent opportunities for graduate studies.
