Fraunhofer IGD Develops Reliable Methods to Detect and Prevent Face-Morphing Attacks
Nuremberg, Germany – Biometric security systems have become increasingly vulnerable to face-morphing attacks, a technique used by criminals to create an alternative identity and bypass border controls undetected. Fraunhofer IGD, a leading research institute, is addressing this growing threat by presenting their latest research findings at the it-sa Expo&Congress in Nuremberg from October 22-24.
According to Florian Kirchbuchner, a biometrics expert at Fraunhofer IGD, face morphing is a technique that merges the features of two or more faces into a single image using advanced algorithms. While this may seem like a harmless technique, criminals have been using it to create fake passport photos and gain access to other countries.
“Morphed photos often go undetected because biometric systems are trained to accept certain changes in the face of the person in the photo,” explains Kirchbuchner. With most identity checks at airports being done by machines, criminals are taking advantage of this vulnerability to enter countries using doctored photos.
To combat this issue, researchers at Fraunhofer IGD are working on identification algorithms designed to anticipate undetected attacks. “Our goal is to create a generalized face-morphing detection system that makes us faster than the criminals,” says Kirchbuchner. As part of the German National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity, the institute is using deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to morph photos and prepare detection systems for potential attacks.
The institute is also working on implementing biometrics in cell phones and augmented-reality cameras to increase security, especially in embedded systems with limited computing capacity. “One possible use case is head-mounted displays, such as those used in VR/AR applications and the metaverse, to assist border control officers or even to identify the user,” explains Kirchbuchner.
Fraunhofer IGD will showcase their latest research findings at the it-sa Expo&Congress, with a highlight being a demonstrator that simulates an airport situation. Visitors will have the opportunity to role-play as border agents and test their ability to identify morphed photos on passports. They can also take a picture of themselves, morph it, and create a biometrics expert identification card.
The Darmstadt Biometric Week, co-hosted by Fraunhofer IGD, will also kick off on September 23. This international event will bring together experts, authorities, and companies to discuss the latest developments and innovations in biometrics.
For more information on Fraunhofer IGD’s research on biometric security systems, visit: https://www.igd.fraunhofer.de/en/research/core-competencies/biometrics.html.
About Fraunhofer IGD:
Fraunhofer IGD, a leading research institute, has been setting standards in visual computing for more than 30 years. With a team of over 210 experts, they provide specific technological solutions and support for strategic development in various sectors, including the automotive industry, healthcare, information technology, and more. Fraunhofer IGD’s products have international relevance and are developed at their facilities in Darmstadt, Rostock, and Kiel, in collaboration with their Austrian sister institute.
Media Contact:
Daniela Welling | Head of Corporate Communications
Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD
Fraunhoferstrasse 5 | 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
Phone +49 6151 155-146 | presse@igd.fraunhofer.de | https://www.igd.fraunhofer.de
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