Improving cyber security using realistic synthetic face generation

The grant application outlines a novel programme of research that questions the uniqueness of facial identity and investigates the use of computer generated face imagery in the area of cyber security.The popularity of the human face as a biometric remains strong despite the introduction of many competing modalities. People are accustomed to being identified by their facial appearance whereas other biometrics such as fingerprints and iris recognition feel more invasive. A programme of research that investigates the concept of identity that is highly relevant to cyber security is proposed. In addition we will develop a novel cyber security application based on facial identity and evaluate its practical security level. Work of this nature has relevance beyond the scope of the project. For example, border control officers routinely verify a person's identity using passport photos but what is the fundamental limit on the ability to achieve this task reliably?

The proposed project will provide impact through: its deliverables, potential for future product development, engagement of the general public through interactive online experiments and by advancing scientific understanding in the area of cyber security.
A deliverable of WP1 is a MATLAB toolbox for synthesising face images. The toolbox will comprise a face land marking tool, code for generating the PCA/GMM model and a user interface that allows batch generation of lifelike face images. We anticipate that the toolbox will be highly beneficial to researchers working in the areas of cyber security, biometrics, computer vision and psychology. The toolbox will be made available for download, free of charge, from the MATLAB File Exchange.
The source code for the prototype cyber security application, developed in WP4, will be uploaded to the collaborative software development site www.github.com to encourage the involvement of developers in the wider security community.
The proposed programme of research will result in Gold Standard Open Access publications and be disseminated at prestigious conferences such as ACM Conference on Computer Communications Security (CCS), which is the highest ranked conference in Computer Security in the World.