Preliminary Study of Novel Bio-Crypto Key Generation Using Clustering-Based Binarization of ECG Features

In modern society, the popularity of wearable devices has highlighted the need for data security. Bio-crypto keys (bio-keys), especially in the context of wearable devices, are gaining attention as a next-generation security method. Despite the theoretical advantages of bio-keys, implementing such systems poses practical challenges due to their need for flexibility and convenience. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) have emerged as a potential solution to these issues but face hurdles due to intra-individual variability. This study aims to evaluate the possibility of a stable, flexible, and convenient-to-use bio-key using ECGs. We propose an approach that minimizes biosignal variability using normalization, clustering-based binarization, and the fuzzy extractor, enabling the generation of personalized seeds and offering ease of use. The proposed method achieved a maximum entropy of 0.99 and an authentication accuracy of 95%. This study evaluated various parameter combinations for generating effective bio-keys for personal authentication and proposed the optimal combination. Our research holds potential for security technologies applicable to wearable devices and healthcare systems.