CE717-7-AU-CO:
Digital Identity and Biometrics
2025/26
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
07 April 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
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MSC G41912 Cyber Security
This module plays a pivotal role in exploring advanced topics that are often underrepresented in traditional Cyber Security Master's programs. It delves deeply into critical areas such as online identity management, encompassing comprehensive discussions on authentication, authorisation, and accountability. The module also provides an in-depth examination of IoT security, with a particular focus on device identity, highlighting the latest developments, emerging trends, and the evolving landscape of threats and mitigation strategies.
The aim of this module is:
- To introduce students to techniques for establishing identity in online environments either of human users or physical devices.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Differentiate the processes involved in establishing an online identity.
- Compare and contrast the operating principles of common biometric modalities.
- Assess the methods of establishing device identity for both simple and complex devices.
- Critique the challenges of establishing identity in non-ideal locations.
Indicative syllabus information
- Introduction to the nature of identity: Understanding what it means for a device to have an identity.
- User and non-user authentication: Discussion of authentication methods, including challenges with passwords.
- Online digital footprints: Exploration of the traces individuals leave behind online.
- Biometrics: Overview of current techniques for major modalities, such as fingerprint, face, and iris recognition.
- Online behavioural biometrics: Examination of biometric techniques based on user behaviour.
- Mobile biometric systems: Focus on biometrics in non-ideal locations and exception handling.
- Support material: Includes relevant content in pattern recognition and image processing.
This module will be delivered via:
- Two 1-hour lecture per week (10 weeks)
- One 2-hour laboratory per week (10 weeks)
- Two 1-hour revision lectures in Summer Term
Inclusivity is ensured in the following ways: lecturers and other teachers are informed at the start of the term about students with special needs; student voice groups allow representatives to discuss issues surrounding learning for minorities.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Mini Project (Coding exercise with written report) |
|
100% |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Early Exams
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Additional coursework information
10 weekly workshops will delivered during the lab sessions to provide practical skills on the concepts introduced. Opportunities to sit practice papers/questions will also be provided.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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