Investigate methods to securely store and protect fingerprint templates in biometric databases to prevent unauthorized access and potential breaches

Abstract

Biometric recognition, especially fingerprint-based systems, plays a vital role in modern security and authentication. Safeguarding fingerprint templates in these systems is critical due to the potential repercussions of security breaches. This study investigates methods to enhance the security of fingerprint templates in biometric databases. The research begins with a literature review that underscores the security challenges within biometric databases and evaluates existing protection methods. It explores advanced techniques like biometric cryptosystems, secure hashing, two-factor authentication, homomorphic encryption, and multi-party computation to gauge their efficacy in mitigating security risks. The study emphasizes the importance of access control and authentication protocols in limiting unauthorized access and continuously monitoring for anomalies. It also assesses the role of secure hardware modules, such as hardware security modules (HSMs) and trusted execution environments (TEEs), in protecting sensitive data. Furthermore, the investigation scrutinizes the concept of biometric template revocation, presenting methods to invalidate compromised templates. It delves into data encryption practices for both templates and the entire database, along with best practices for managing decryption keys. The study also explores the deployment of anomaly detection and intrusion detection systems to reinforce security. In conclusion, this investigation provides a comprehensive overview of methods for securely storing and protecting fingerprint templates in biometric databases. By implementing these techniques and best practices, organizations can enhance the security of their biometric systems, safeguarding sensitive data. This research aims to inform and guide practitioners and researchers in their pursuit of robust biometric database security.