A watermarking technique to improve the security level in face recognition systems

Abstract

This paper presents a proposal for a suitable and viable combination of a face recognition system and a watermarking system, namely a PCA-DCT combination, as a new watermarked face recognition scheme that will ensure the authenticity of the data being transmitted in the face recognition system, which will then increase its level of security. The emphasis is on recognizing and rejecting stolen biometric data reintroduced into the system. The research begins with an analysis of biometric systems, with an emphasis on face recognition systems, and in particular with reference to the recorded threats on such systems, Biometric watermarking algorithms proposed by previous researchers within the face recognition environment are then studied, noting their proposed solutions to the said threats. This would then give a good idea towards a watermarked face recognition scheme to be proposed to enhance the security of face recognition systems, especially in terms of the authenticity of the data being transmitted. This watermarked face recognition scheme is the main objective, which will be then worked into the PCA-DCT combination, followed by a check on all the 8 possible locations where data may be intercepted and/or reintroduced. All the results produced are positive, apart from a few situations that will have to be left for future work. Non degradation of the individual PCA and DCT systems due to the combination is also checked and experimented on, again with positive results. Finally, the robustness of the watermarked face recognition scheme is experimented on to evaluate its resilience against attacks.

Fourier Image Watermarking: Print-Cam Application

“…For example, the capacity and security requirements can be improved by using facial recognition systems [20,21] for ID image watermarking methods. Furthermore, Isa et al [22] provide a combination of a facial recognition system and a watermarking system in the DCT domain in order to increase the security of facial recognition systems by using principal component analysis (PCA). To protect the data used in the face recognition system, they use logos and timestamps as watermarks.…”

Maneuvering Digital Watermarking In Face Recognition

“…Digital watermarking could be encapsulated within a host image through frequency or facial domain. The spatial domain contemplates the visual system of humans for propelling some alterations in the host image, which is not observed [16]. This could be attained with the variation of values in the pixel values' significant bits that are low.…”