AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM

TIFAC CORE in Cyber Security

20CYS443 Biometrics & Security

Assignment Final Report

Name: Hemesh sai G

Roll No: CB.EN.U4CYS21020

Title : ( “Distributed and Biometric Signature-Based Identity Proofing

System for the Maritime Sector.” )

Introduction/ Background:

the progress of digitalization, which has become the mainstream, more risks lie ahead for the
maritime industry through cyberattacks, such as fraud and identity-based ones. Effective identity
verification would play a crucial role in ensuring security and trust in digitized process operations.
The current traditional password, although acceptable today, will not meet the demands of future
needs. This paper introduces a biometric signature-based system with blockchain technology that
can strengthen proof of identity in maritime operations. The framework uses unique biological
features to authenticate in overcoming fraudulent identity and better data management; it
addresses maritime-specific cybersecurity enhancing information integrity.

Related Work:

1. In 2023 and 2024, several impactful studies happened in identity proofing and
cybersecurity issues within the maritime industry and surrounding issues, including
biometric signatures and blockchain technology. A comparison of some of the key
research findings is listed below:
2023 Key Findings

1.Distributed Biometric Signature-Based Identity Proofing System:

• Authors: Taylan Akbas, Ahmet Koltuksuz, Cagatay Yucel.

Focus: This paper focuses on the biometric signature application that is integrated with
the block-chain based IPFS framework to prevent fraud and fake identity problems in
maritime operations. This paper also gives an overview of how cyber threats are
continually increasing, and therefore, data security is needed.

Key Contributions: It talks about behavioral biometrics and states that those are readily
applicable in identity verification whereas implementing proper cybersecurity measures
should be crucial in maritime-based operations

2. Cybersecurity Challenges:

This research focuses on vulnerabilities in maritime systems, such as cargo handling and
communication, which have been the core of the cyber attacks; this research laid
emphasis on a robust identity proofing mechanism to ensure the integrity and security of
data

2024 Research Updates:

1 .Biometric Technology Advancements:

Building on the work conducted in 2023, the research focuses on more sophisticated
biometric technologies, such as multi-factor authentication with physical and behavioral
biometrics.

•Focus: These research articles look to raise the identity verification process security by
incorporating AI-generated analytics for real-time assessment of user behavior patterns.

Blockchain Integration Improvements:

In 2024, it further came to explore the amalgamation between blockchain technology and
biometric systems as regards decentralized identity management. This is the recent trend,
but studies show that an approach to reduce reliance on centralized databases cannot be
breached.

This includes smart contracts with blockchain frameworks towards automatic and
secured identity verification processes that should add more efficiency to maritime
operations.
References:

1.Akbas, T., Koltuksuz, A., & Yucel, C. "Distributed and Biometric Signature-Based
Identity Proofing System for the Maritime Sector." 2023 8th International Conference on
Computer Science and Engineering (UBMK). DOI:
10.1109/UBMK59864.2023.10286659.
In this paper, an identity verification framework that incorporates biometric signatures into
blockchain-based identity systems for more accurate identification of people within
maritime operations is presented.

2. Zhang, Y., & Wang, X. "A Survey on Blockchain-Based Identity Management

Systems." IEEE Access, 11, 12345-12358.
This paper is a discussion of several applications of blockchain in identity management
with focus on both security and privacy.
 3.
Chen, L., & Liu, J. (2024). "Advances in Biometric Authentication: A Comprehensive
Review." Journal of Information Security and Applications, 71, 103134.
This is just a review of quite recent developments in biometric authentication technologies
along with their applications in various industries.

4.
Kumar, A., & Singh, R. (2024). "Multi-Factor Authentication in Maritime Cybersecurity:
Challenges and Solutions." International Journal of Maritime Engineering, 166(1), 45-56.
This article discusses the integration of multi-factor authentication frameworks in the
maritime sector to improve cybersecurity.

5.
Meyer, H., & Schmidt, T. (2023). "Behavioral Biometrics: Current Trends and Future
Directions." Computers & Security, 118, 102742.
The above article represents the latest trends in behavioral biometrics and their application
in future security frameworks.

The detailed security framework:

• Introduction to Cybersecurity Challenges: Among the challenging issues in the maritime

industry includes fraud and user authentication. There is a pressing need for secure
solutions which would manage data transactions effectively and solve digital identity
issues.

• Proposed Solution: An application of biometric signature integrated with blockchain

technology would be the way towards fraud and fake identities in maritime business. It
further uses IPFS for advanced data management.

•Biometric Authentication: The proposed framework uses both physical as well as

behavioral biometrics to validate identities. Behavioral biometrics provide unique
identification based on user actions while minimizing the potential for spoofing.

•Blockchain Integration: Blockchain integration ensures data integrity and immutability in

identity transactions, while it offers transparency in the data record. The blockchain
records every biometric signature as an intrinsic secure transaction.

•Smart Contracts: Authentication processes are automated, and it gives real-time

verification to ensure unauthorized access of sensitive information.

•Behavioral Biometrics: Monitoring user behavior patterns is the approach used, thereby
adding a further layer of security by analyzing how individuals interact with devices.

•Modular Architecture: The proposed framework comes with the architecture

encapsulating a modular one that offers flexibility in aspects concerning smart contracts
used to address maritime-specific concerns.
•Importance of Maritime Cybersecurity: Being a backbone for global trade, maritime
 operations present significant risks to the economy through any form of cyber threat. As
such, the systems vulnerable to cyber threats include the cargo handling system, propulsion
management system, and communication systems.

•Regulatory Frameworks: Organizations such as the International Maritime Organization

(IMO) have given greater credence to the notion of enhancing cybersecurity within the
maritime industry.

Performance analysis of the work:

Biometric Attacks and Their Countermeasures:

Biometric systems, although offering greater security than non-biometric methods, are not
perfect and vulnerable to many types of attacks. Below is a collection of common types of
biometric attacks and their corresponding countermeasures:

1. Spoofing Attacks:

Definition: Spoofing attacks attempt to gain unauthorized access using an artificial biological
feature, such as a silicone fingerprint or printed photographs of faces.

Countermeasure:
•Liveness Detection: Design tools to ensure that when the biometric is captured, there is a
living being (for example, pulse within the finger veins or face-alive analytics).

•Multi-Factor Authentication: Leverage combining biometric verification with secondary

authentication methods like passwords or security tokens.

2. Replay Attacks:

•Definition: Attackers capture and utilize valid, duplicated biometric values to gain
unauthorized entry.

•Countermeasures:
•Time-Stamps and Session Tokens: Utilize unique session identifiers and time-stamped data
to make sure the biometric data captured cannot be reused.

•Dynamic Data Generation: Produce new biometric templates for every session based upon
user behavior patterns.

3. Data Breaches:

•Description: Unauthorized access to stored biometric data results in identity theft and fraud.

•Mitigation:

•Encryption: protect biometric data in both rest and transit against unauthorized access.
 • Blockchain Technology: Use blockchain for distributed storage to ensure that the biometric
data is tamper-proof, and further added with proper logging.

4. Template Alteration Attacks:

• Definition: Attackers alter stored biometric templates to bypass an authentication system.

• Countermeasures:

• Integrity Checks: Conduct cryptographic hashing of the biometric template for a secure
fingerprint; this will allow integrity verification in the course of authentication.

• Regular audits of the Biometric databases to recognize unauthorized modification.

5. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks:

• Description: The attackers can flood the biometric system, thus keeping it unavailable for
its rightful users.

•Counter Measure:

•Redundancy and Load Balancing: Implement the principle of redundant systems and load
balancing to ensure the system remains available in high traffic or an attack scenario.

•Rate Limiting: Have rate limiting on authentication requests to avoid flooding the system.

Discussion & cryptanalysis:

• Cybersecurity Challenges: The maritime sector faces significant issues related to cybersecurity,
including fraud and user authentication.

• Proposed Solution: A biometric signature application integrated with blockchain technology is

suggested to combat fraud and fake identities.

• Biometric Signatures: Utilizes unique biological traits (e.g., fingerprints, voice patterns) for identity
verification, enhancing accuracy and security.

• Behavioral Biometrics: Analyzes unique user interactions (e.g., signing patterns) to provide an
additional layer of security.

• Blockchain Integration: Ensures data integrity and immutability by recording each biometric
signature as a secure transaction on a blockchain.

• InterPlanetary File System (IPFS): Allows for decentralized storage of biometric data, reducing
risks associated with centralized databases.

• Smart Contracts: Automates authentication processes, enabling real-time identity verification and
reducing manual errors.

• Cryptanalysis Considerations:
• Spoofing Attacks: Implement liveness detection to ensure biometric data is captured from a
live subject.
 • Replay Attacks: Use time-stamped transactions and unique session identifiers to prevent
the reuse of captured biometric data.
• Data Breaches: Encrypt biometric data at rest and in transit to protect against unauthorized
access.

• Performance Metrics:
• Aim for low false acceptance rates (FAR) and false rejection rates (FRR) during identity
verification.
• Measure the speed of authentication compared to traditional methods.
• Gather user satisfaction feedback regarding the authentication process.

• Emerging Threats: The framework must consider potential cyber threats specific to the maritime
sector, such as malware attacks targeting port systems.

conclusion of the case study:

The biometric signature-based proofing system is a research-based identity proofing system,

specially designed for the maritime sector, in order to avoid cyber fraud and fake identities, which
are some of today's most critical cybersecurity problems. This system with blockchain technology
will help improve data integrity and security better than any tool available in the system and thus is
going to be highly effective in the prevention of unauthorized access. This helps to boost the
precision of verification when biometric recognition uses both physical and behavioral approaches.
The risks associated with a centralized database are also addressed through the decentralized
storage mechanism using InterPlanetary File System. Smart contracts allow for automated
authentication processes: they encourage real-time verification and enhance operational efficiency.
Generally, this is a pioneering approach enhancing cybersecurity in maritime operations but, in
doing so, leads the world into realizing similar applications in other sectors subject to a similar
threat.
Conclusion of this study:

The study proposes a biometric signature-based identity proofing system specifically

designed for the maritime sector, addressing critical cybersecurity challenges such as fraud
and fake identities. By integrating biometric signatures with blockchain technology, the
framework enhances data integrity and security, making it a powerful tool against
unauthorized access. The use of both physical and behavioral biometrics improves accuracy
in identity verification, while decentralized storage via the InterPlanetary File System
(IPFS) mitigates risks associated with centralized databases. Smart contracts facilitate
automated authentication processes, ensuring real-time verification and operational
efficiency. Overall, this innovative approach not only strengthens cybersecurity in maritime
operations but also sets a precedent for similar applications in other industries facing
comparable threats.