13 September 2006

New centre to address security issues

University of Canberra is leading the way in the field of security with its recently formed National Centre for Biometric Studies (NCBS) to be officially launched on September 28, 2006.

The launch will take place during a one-day conference at the University of Canberra that will address the fastest growing crime in the world - identity theft.

Biometrics is the statistical study of person-specific physiological and behavioural features used to identify, authenticate or distinguish different people. Biometric technology is relatively new and covers a range of human attributes, including voice characteristics, facial appearance, fingerprint and iris patterns, as well as palm shape, gait etc. A promising new development is to "fuse" information from two or more attributes, such as face and voice, for more accurate identification.

NCBS Director, Professor Michael Wagner said that University of Canberra has a long and productive history of academic research and development in biometric technologies.

"NCBS has been established to conduct independent, university-based research, education, evaluation and development in the area of biometrics, and to provide consultancy and services on biometrics to government and industry. As a national centre, our core activity is coordinating Australian developments with overseas initiatives, and ensuring that they are compatible and in-step with emerging international standards, practices and procedures," Professor Wagner said.

The Centre has already conducted several evaluations of voice authentication technologies since its inception, including a major evaluation of current commercial speaker verification engines for Telstra and Centrelink .

"In the age of eCommerce and eGovernment we need new mechanisms of authentication, either in addition to or instead of conventional paper-based identity documents. Biometric technology provides mechanisms that work reliably over the Internet and telephone networks while appropriate procedures will ensure the privacy and security of all users," Professor Wagner said.

A world-renowned panel of biometrics experts will address the issues of identity theft at the one day conference, "Voice Authentication for Identity Management". Speakers include USA based and internationally renowned speech analyst, Dr Judith Markowitz; digital rights management expert, Chris Joscelyne; the Honorable Terry Aulich; USA Opus Research founder, Dan Miller; and Directors of NCBS, Professor Michael Wagner and Dr Clive Summerfield.

The NCBS website is at: http://www.canberra.edu.au/schools/ise/ncbs

UC Communications

Gaye Morrison
T: 02 6201 5855
M: 0409 470 755

Kaddie Pass
T: 02 6201 2681

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Last Updated on August 1, 2005