Security for Ambient Assisted Living: Multi-factor Authentication in the Internet of Things

This paper describes mechanisms for achieving strong, multi-factor authentication in Ambient Assisted Living environments. These mechanisms rely on biometric-based technologies to provide information security and privacy in the Internet of Things. The importance of user choice and ease of use of authentication methods in achieving universal access to services in assistive environments is described. Cryptographic algorithm and protocol solutions that depend on a Public Key Infrastructure for the protection of sensitive information are discussed. Lighter weight alternatives are then proposed that use authenticated key exchange to combat phishing and other attacks and provide mutual authentication and data confidentiality.