EEG-Based Authentication in VR Using Blockchain Technology
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Sindhu Kalathur Gopal, Boise State University; and Dr. Gaby Dagher, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in critical domains such as healthcare, military and education makes secure authentication a necessity. Traditional VR authentication usually relies on knowledge-based or physiological biometrics based methods, such as PINS and iris scanning. Due to the vulnerabilities associated with these methods, immersive environments remain at risk. For instance, PINS are susceptible to shoulder surfing and physiological biometrics based methods are at risk of spoofing attacks. The use of behavioral biometrics provides a strong solution to the flaws of these traditional methods, since they are unique and difficult to replicate. We propose an EEG-based behavioral biometric authentication framework for secure initial system access within immersive environments. Within our framework, we investigate the differences between authenticating a user with resting state EEG data versus active state EEG data. To further address gaps in current research, our framework also uses blockchain to securely store biometric templates, providing an additional layer of protection.
EEG-Based Authentication in VR Using Blockchain Technology
The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in critical domains such as healthcare, military and education makes secure authentication a necessity. Traditional VR authentication usually relies on knowledge-based or physiological biometrics based methods, such as PINS and iris scanning. Due to the vulnerabilities associated with these methods, immersive environments remain at risk. For instance, PINS are susceptible to shoulder surfing and physiological biometrics based methods are at risk of spoofing attacks. The use of behavioral biometrics provides a strong solution to the flaws of these traditional methods, since they are unique and difficult to replicate. We propose an EEG-based behavioral biometric authentication framework for secure initial system access within immersive environments. Within our framework, we investigate the differences between authenticating a user with resting state EEG data versus active state EEG data. To further address gaps in current research, our framework also uses blockchain to securely store biometric templates, providing an additional layer of protection.