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Defense Advanced Research Projects AgencyNews And Events

Where DARPA is Going, You Don’t Need Passwords

Active Authentication program investigates behavioral biometrics for mobile devices

outreach@darpa.mil
2/12/2013
DARPA’s Active Authentication program

In the world of network cyber security, the weak link is often not the hardware or the software, but the user. Passwords are often easily guessed or possibly written down, leaving entire networks vulnerable to attack. Mobile devices containing sensitive information are often lost or stolen, leaving a password as the single layer of defense.

DARPA’s Active Authentication program is addressing this problem by adding additional ways to validate a user’s identity beyond the password based on user behavior.   The program focuses on the development of new types of behavioral biometrics focused on the user’s cognitive processes—usage patterns or habits  of individuals that, in combination, can serve as an online fingerprint and identity check.

The program’s initial thrust developed tools to protect desktop workstations--an effort that continues. Active Authentication begins a second, parallel thrust using biometrics to secure mobile devices using apps, sensors and other resources unique to these platforms.

A versatile, application-driven device like a smart phone or a tablet computer may be customized quickly by downloading software applications for use on the go. For the DoD, warfighters need to download software, reports, maps, mission-specific software and receive orders in the field. This versatility cannot be provided at the cost of network security, however, and behavioral biometrics are being developed to add layers of defense without burdening the user.

“We have received a large number of really creative approaches to the desktop security problem,” said Richard Guidorizzi, DARPA program manager. “We are looking to tap into some more of this creativity to create truly robust solutions for DoD mobile platforms.”

DARPA held a Proposers’ Day on Friday February 8th to discuss new program goals. The Broad Agency Announcement for the solicitation can be found at: http://go.usa.gov/47G4 

Tags

| Automation | Cyber | Trust |

 

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Selected DARPA Achievements

DARPA collaborated with industry on stealth technology.
DARPA’s Stealth Revolution
In the early days of DARPA’s work on stealth technology, Have Blue, a prototype of what would become the F-117A, first flew successfully in 1977. The success of the F-117A program marked the beginning of the stealth revolution, which has had enormous benefits for national security.
DARPA microelectronics gave rise to today's GPS devices.
Navigation in the Palm of Your Hand
Early GPS receivers were bulky, heavy devices. In 1983, DARPA set out to miniaturize them, leading to a much broader adoption of GPS capability.
First rough conceptual design of the ARPANET.
Paving the Way to the Modern Internet
ARPA research played a central role in launching the Information Revolution. The agency developed and furthered much of the conceptual basis for the ARPANET—prototypical communications network launched nearly half a century ago—and invented the digital protocols that gave birth to the Internet.
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