Computer and Electronic Security Systems (CESS)

With the increased emphasis on civil (people’s) security in our modern world, the CESS group has identified system solutions for civil security as one of the key application areas where we have a valuable mix of the necessary enabling technologies and expertise to develop novel solutions for difficult security problems. With the existing Digital Forensics group, the school of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences (CEIS) provides an excellent environment for building interdisciplinary teams in this multi-faceted problem area.  The group has focused on developing novel algorithms for a range of relevant problems, including algorithms for: biometric recognition (Face, Iris, Palmprint and Fingerprint), speaker fingerprinting, shoeprint matching, perceptual image hashing, digital watermarking and data hiding, digital device identification using output visual data, and real time processing using FPGA-based hardware platforms. The ability to integrate these technologies will also open up a range of other related applications for which there is likely to be a demand in the long term, based on mobile multi-sensor, multi-modal platforms.

The Computer and Electronic Security Systems group will carry out research into fundamental algorithms for media, computer and people’s security applications. This includes biometrics/multibiometrics and telesurveillance for people’s security, data hiding, steganography and watermarking for media security and forensic investigations.

Our overall group objectives are primarily two-fold: (i) to focus on developing world-leading fundamental algorithms for biometric and digital media security problems, and (ii) by integrating and coordinating our capabilities, to be able to deliver robust computer and electronic security systems which operate with mobile platforms and in real time.