As I mention in my short Bio here another interest both personally and professionally is Biometric security and specifically an area involving KeyStrong Dynamics.

Keystroke dynamics is a form of Biometric security. It is in the same category with retinal scans, finger print identification or voice recognition. Specifically it is the process of analyzing the way a user types on a keyboard and identifies him or her based on his typing rhythm habits. A user’s typing pattern can be unique because similar neuro-physiological factors that make written signatures unique are also exhibited when typing. Keystroke dynamics is not what you type, but how you type.

Features commonly used to describe a user’s typing pattern are:

– Latencies between successive keystrokes (the elapsed time between the release of the first key and the depression of the second)

– Duration of each keystroke (How long is the key held down)

– Finger placement

– Pressure applied on the keys

– Overall typing speed

The idea behind Keystroke Dynamics has been around since World War II. It was well documented during the war that telegraph operators on many U.S. ships could recognize the other sending operator by his typing patterns. Known as the “Fist of the Sender,” the uniqueness in the keying rhythm (even of Morse-code), could distinguish one operator from another.

http://www.wsta.org/publications/articles/1003_article06.html.

Advantages of Keystroke Dynamics:

– Non intrusive and wide user acceptance

– Natural authentication mechanism for computer and network security

– Continuous verification (monitoring) is possible

– Minimal training

– No additional hardware

For more information check the following links:

www.verticalcompany.com or www.biopassword.com