The Ministry of Science and the Cyber Headquarters will invest 1.8 million NIS in research in the field of biometrics and secure identification
The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Biometric Identification and Applications Unit at the National Cyber Headquarters recently issued a call for funding for research and development in the field of biometrics and identification in the total amount of 1.8 million NIS. Each research that is selected will be funded in the amount of NIS 450,000 for a period of up to three years. The purpose of the calling voice is to promote the existing knowledge in the field, bring about actual applications and increase the number of researchers and studies in it.
According to Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis, "The purpose of the investment in the field is to bring to light the added value of the scientists and entrepreneurs in Israel who anticipate the problems we may encounter in the future in the field. The grant will help create growth engines that will advance Israel to the status of a leading country in research, development and implementation of new solutions in the field."
The field of identification, which also includes the use of biometric applications, currently occupies many governments in the world. Secure identification for the purpose of providing services online and on smart phones will allow government bodies and the private sector to provide residents with a broader and more secure basket of services. As part of this trend, we are witnessing a significant boom in the use of biometric applications that enable user-friendly identification with a high level of confidence. As the identification becomes more secure, it will be possible to eliminate the requirement for physical identity verification, which requires arriving at the public reception offices, which will lead to improved service to the public in general and the residents of the periphery in particular, to efficiency, and to ease the conduct of business.
The head of the National Cyber System, Dr. Avitar Matanya, noted that: "Increasing the use of biometric applications will have a significant benefit to society and the economy. In order to do this and accelerate developments and the economy, it is important to create an ecosystem between the government, academia and industry, and research funding is one of the key tools for this."
Among the studies that received grants in the past in this field: a study by Prof. Avraham Domb from the Hebrew University on biometrics based on tertiary data in fingerprints; Research by Prof. Tal Hasner from the Open University and Prof. Yossi Keller from Bar Ilan University on the topic of defending against biometric identity theft; Research by Prof. Yossi Almog from the Hebrew University on the use of nanotechnology to increase the detection rate of fingerprints; The research of Prof. Or Donkelman and Dr. Rita Usadechi from the University of Haifa on the subject of cancellation biometrics and many more.
