On that same cold night on New Years Eve [20] - Jerusalem, when I was developing ex0d, I walked into a crowded venue with no place to secure my coat. Exposed, I couldn't help but to think of how vulnerable my personal possessions were.
Sure, everything was connected and secured to the ex0d model, but that's because it was as smart as I could get it in that amount of time, and with recourse limitations. I needed to step up my game; I had the vision, but was lacking the practical skills needed to develop a smart product. Working with Adhesh on PT010 eased me in to the 'electrical/robotic' department.
Since this was my solo[x] project I was eager to indulge in it myself for the first time. I had a great opportunity to learn, to conceptualise, and to deliver a product outside of my comfort zone. The bi0d atai 1.0d model is my first attempt at [complex] engineering.
Redirecting to that Jerusalem night again - Eventually, I knew I would want to incorporate bi0metric technologies to any of the 0d products, and I envisioned that like with mac, all of the 0d products will work synchronously through a network. The security of that network will need the highest standard of [cyber]security available. My interests led me to the space of web03 and the decentralisation of biometric data.
bi0d
// key words
decentralised technologies
biometric authentication
IoT
cybersecurity
cybercrime
digital wallet
web03
databending
minted encryption
research
// population - growth rate
population is projected to increase from 7.8 billion in 2020 to 9.9 billion by 2050. This level represents an increase > 25%
from 2020.
// IoT - demand for security
The scale of [I]IoT devices, networks and data is growing rapidly.
// decentralisation -
blockchain offers a promising approach for decentralized authentication in IoT networks.
// cyber-physical security -
identity management is challenged by ioT growth and digitized services.
// blockchain - blockchain is a core mechanism for the distributed public ledger system.
// biometric Authentication System - decentralised and distributed mechanism for processing biometric authentication and an auditable mechanism for handling biometric information.
// ownership economy - next evolutionary step towards software that is not only built, operated, and funded by individual users—but owned by users too.
// self Sovereign Identity - is "an identity management system which allows individuals to fully own and manage their digital identity".
"In currently used centralised and federated identity management systems services, organisations and platform providers provide the users various digital identifiers and identification means and require the users to trust their systems."
"The concept of SSI relies on the concepts of decentralised identity that take advantage of distributed ledger technologies and verifiable credentials to provide the users digital identity in a decentralised manner without relying on intermediaries."
process
// organisation - Since the experience was fairly new to me, I put my organisational skills to use and consulted with professionals about the type of materials and procedures that would be necessary to achieve a blockchain-based biometric device. After putting a list together of all of the requirements, I ordered the necessary parts.
// retro[fitting] - I brought a vintage Samsonite briefcase with me to London. Like the VHC palmcorder, it was also a second hand find in pristine condition. I admire the lock&key concept is possesses and appreciate the
retro look.
I brought it because I wanted to eventually replace the lock&key mechanism with a fingerprint authentication solution. Solo[x] was the perfect opportunity for me to utilize the available recources in order to continue to develop the 0d vision.
Here, I wanted to put what I had learned about technological hybridisation from frequency0d to use; to explore the connection and perception of time and technology once again.
// assembly - When the electronics arrived I began to assemble the components - challenged, every step of the way. Yes, this was a learning experience, but I was eager to see a
tangible output.
// 0dpi - The first bit was setting up the raspberry pi [aka - 0dpi]. Once this was completed and a network was established, I proceeded to initialise the fingerprint sensor [via a TTL converter]. The next part was to attach a solenoid lock [via 2-way relay] to 0dpi. Once the connection was established, a 4G LTE/GSM HAT was installed to the top part of 0dpi, creating a second level, and allowed mobile communication [via sim].
At this point the prototype became a fully functional [conventional] I0T device. I needed a database to store the fingerprint data before I could run tests on the server. Once the phpmyadmin database was installed, I directly downloaded a web03 [metamask] beta version to 0dpi and set up digital wallet [process not complete].
I attempted several pixel sorting and data bending techniques to encrypt the biometric data [see in outcome]. A new database would need to be created to store and covert the translated data to NFT [non-fungible token].
outcome
// encryption - atai 1.0d is currently still under development, however it has arrived at the ‘proof of concept’ point, and has been validated by professionals in both cyber-physical/cybersecurity industries.
With the help of my colleagues, and industry professionals, I was able to develop a full scale mobile [web03 enabled] physical prototype.
The LTE/GSM HAT enables communication between the physical sensors METAMASK software directly downloaded to the device
In theory, after the unique fingerprint pattern is configured, the user is opted to scan a unique pattern. Each scan goes through a data bending and pixel sorting process; the algorithm creates a unique seed from the provided data. The METAMASK app recognises the unique seed, turns it into an NFT, stores it on
a digital database [encrypted wallet],
and commences an unlock command [via
smart-contract].
Looking back at
ex0d, bi0d would
be a viable solution
for securing
personal
belongings, and
retainment of
ownership using
highly encrypted
identity
management tools.
The atai 1.0d scenario
is just one of
many of the
blockchain based
cyber-physical
examples of security.
evaluation
Most of lock and key systems we know are designed for user access and protection. A physical key for example serves as a “security token” for access to a locked area. A combination lock allows the user to lock personal belongings from thieves.
Similarly, the digital world has provided us with a modified version of these techniques such as four digit pins and biometric authentication techniques we now use on a daily basis.
Record indicates that ancient Egyptians used a wooden mechanism we now know as a “pin tumbler” for access and security. So over 6000 years ago, human beings, just like you and I, had the need for lock and key mechanisms.
The modern lock and key, the one we still use today to unlock our homes, was developed 3 centuries ago during the Industrial Revolution. The digital revolution of the 20th
century introduced us to
more modern and
conventionalised techniques.
These prior arts face many challenges. If it is a physical object, it is at risk of being stolen or duplicated
If it is a digital system it is likely susceptible to hacking, data manipulation, and/or information leakage, amongst other dangers
and threats.
The digital world that we are familiar with is broken into two heavily centralized segments we know as the Internet Server Provider and the Domain Name Server. The ISP knows all requests, it collects tonnes of data from its users and sells or shares it with marketers who abuse user privacy. The current solution for this is using a VPN connection. This disguises the user from the ISP. However, the VPN, like our buddies ISP and DNS, is a centralised network. So everything the ISP doesn’t know the VPN does. Kind of an oxymoron if you ask me.
Current IoT devices are sensor based. These sensors collect data on a centralised network. This means the data you provide is being sold to some other entity who is making money off of the data that you own. But, of course, our convenience masks the background and therefore we do not think to challenge
these systems.
My research has revealed to me significant insights in the field of cybersecurity and cyber-physical systems respectively. When meeting with professionals in the field, I quickly understood how vulnerable we actually are. Our current perception
on privacy and security
leaves us susceptible to an array of threats from weak passcodes to AI based attacks - some of todays largest threats in critical
infrastructure systems.
At the rate in which we are going, it is safe to assume that web03 will take over. Offering decentralised network solutions that are proven effectively in “blockchain-based authentication systems”. These systems, however preliminary, do exist, along with several other relatively new technologies. My IDE intervention and impact would be connecting these dots.
To do so, let us have a look at the proposed diagram for the atai 1.0d prototype I have been developing. The current route reeds the biometric data on a centralised database to unlock a device. We have determined however that this method leaves us exposed. My intervention is at the very beginning, where the most value is located.
The IoT industry is just one of many fields that this technology can be applied in. But, there are many industries that would benefit from this adoption, and considering our pace of adoption, some will need to pioneer the way for others. At this point, it is inevitable.
The white area here represents the data neutral zone where large amounts of data are stored on a network. It is also the most susceptible area of cyber attack. The red zone represents the corrupted data sold off for market analysis. The green area represents the cryptographic protocols that will take over the entire sphere once these methods are massly applied.
The biggest challenge is pioneering the way in decentralised authentication. Most people are comfortable. Changing the masses perception on lock and key mechanisms will require a lot of effort. The key, is in my hands now.
lets conclude by zooming out from the micro level to the macro. bi0d aims to increase and provide new meaning in privacy through trustworthy cryptographic systems to deliver social equity through decentralized transparency and management of data.
deck designed in collaboration with: δ.vision
With more time and effort, a device like this can be deployed in many industries including but not limited to, homeland security, the automotive industry, transactional security, etc.