Science of Keystroke Dynamics

Behavioral Biometrics and Keystroke Dynamics

The term "biometrics" is derived from the Greek words bio (life) and metric (to measure). In this context, biometrics refers to technologies for measuring and analyzing a person's physiological or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, irises, voice patterns, typing patterns, facial patterns, and hand measurements, for the purpose of identification and verification.

A behavioral biometric is a measurable behavior trait that is acquired over time (versus a physiological characteristic or physical trait) and is used to recognize or verify the identity of a person. Keystroke Dynamics is one of several innovative technologies used to automate the process of authenticating or verifying an individual based upon a unique, personal behavior – their typing patterns. Examples of other behavioral based biometrics include: Handwriting and Speech Recognition.

The behavioral biometric of Keystroke Dynamics uses the manner and rhythm in which an individual types characters on a keyboard or keypad. BioPassword is comprised of a patented set of technologies that measures the keystroke rhythms of a user and develops a unique biometric template of the users typing pattern for future authentication. Raw measurements available from most every keyboard can be recorded to determine Dwell time (the time a key pressed) and Flight time (the time between “key down” and the next “key down” and the time between “key up” and the next “key up”). The recorded keystroke timing data is then processed through a unique neural algorithm, which determines a primary pattern for future comparison.

The Science of Keystroke Dynamics

Applying Keystroke Dynamics to the authentication process has given BioPassword a unique low-cost broadly available solution for delivering customers two-factor or multifactor authentication software capabilities for Internet applications or as part of their internal application and network security architecture.