Research efforts will focus on burying secret information inside a description of fingerprints, so that the secret can only be revealed by the person with the fingerprints. Calling on cryptographic techniques, this research could lead to fundamental changes in the protection of personal data based on fingerprints. For example, it would be possible to design biometric personal data files, which could only be accessed with the explicit authorization of the owner of this private data.

"This research harbors the promise of creating a disruptive technology for information system protection based on biometric technologies," said Jean-Paul Jainsky, Chairman and CEO of Sagem Sécurité. "The consortium we are leading has both the international breadth and multidisciplinary expertise needed to rise to this challenge."

The TURBINE consortium comprises major players in this sector, including Philips Research Europe, Sagem Orga, Precise Biometrics in Sweden, Cryptolog and ARTTIC in France and 3D-GAA in Greece, as well as the research labs K.U. Leuven in Belgium and Gjovik University College in Norway.

(*) TrUsted Revocable Biometric IdeNtitiEs