Promises and Challenges in Continuous Tracking Utilizing Amino Acids in Skin Secretions for Active Multi‐Factor Biometric Authentication for Cybersecurity

Abstract

We consider a new concept of biometric‐based cybersecurity systems for active authentication by continuous tracking, which utilizes biochemical processing of metabolites present in skin secretions. Skin secretions contain a large number of metabolites and small molecules that can be targeted for analysis. Here we argue that amino acids found in sweat can be exploited for the establishment of an amino acid profile capable of identifying an individual user of a mobile or wearable device. Individual and combinations of amino acids processed by biocatalytic cascades yield physical (optical or electronic) signals, providing a time‐series of several outputs that, in their entirety, should suffice to authenticate a specific user based on standard statistical criteria. Initial results, motivated by biometrics, indicate that single amino acid levels can provide analog signals that vary according to the individual donor, albeit with limited resolution versus noise. However, some such assays offer digital separation (into well‐defined ranges of values) according to groups such as age, biological sex, race, and physiological state of the individual. Multi‐input biocatalytic cascades that handle several amino acid signals to yield a single digital‐type output, as well as continuous‐tracking time‐series data rather than a single‐instance sample, should enable active authentication at the level of an individual.

We Are Also Metabolites: Towards Understanding the Composition of Sweat on Fingertips via Hyperspectral Imaging

“…In 2017, Agudelo et al proposed the use of sweat content as a mechanism for continuous authentication and tracking [26]. In this system, a sensor is placed at the points of skin contact with a device used to acquire sweat samples.…”

Recent Advances in Noninvasive Biosensors for Forensics, Biometrics, and Cybersecurity

“…Lastly, the use of biosensors for cybersecurity is a growing trend. The use of sensors for authentication of an individual and a novel methodology related to cryptography were recently developed [ 150 , 151 ]. The first paper represents a review with the aim of introducing a multi-assay wearable biosensor that would provide continuous tracking of a person’s sweat metabolites for authentication purposes.…”

Molecules for security measures: from keypad locks to advanced communication protocols

“…A very basic step toward molecular emulation of 2FA was recently presented by Andréasson and co-workers, 38 but more sophisticated versions of multi-factor authentication are anticipated. 39 Here, biometrics will be the key player as the ultimate goal would be the continuous monitoring of analytes in the skin secretions of the user. It is foreseen that the concentration profile over time of 23 amino acids in the sweat would be sufficient for a pattern unique to each individual to be generated.…”