Background of the Study:
Network security is an essential component of modern academic institutions, particularly for safeguarding critical resources, such as student records, research data, and administrative systems. Traditional authentication methods, like passwords and security questions, have proven to be vulnerable to attacks such as phishing and brute force (Alam & Khan, 2023). In response, biometric authentication—using unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or retinal scans—has emerged as a more secure alternative. Biometric systems are harder to breach than traditional methods and offer convenience, as they do not require users to remember passwords or tokens (Bhatia & Raj, 2024).
Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, is facing security challenges due to its reliance on conventional password-based authentication methods, which expose the institution’s digital platforms to unauthorized access. Given the increasing number of cyber-attacks on university networks, there is an urgent need to implement more secure access control mechanisms. Biometric authentication offers an effective solution by ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information. By leveraging biometric systems for secure network access control, the university can enhance its cybersecurity posture, ensuring that faculty, staff, and students can securely access academic and administrative resources.
Statement of the Problem:
The current network access control system at Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, primarily relies on traditional password-based methods, which are vulnerable to cyber-attacks such as phishing, password theft, and brute force attempts. This creates a significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive university data. The lack of a robust access control mechanism leaves the university’s networks susceptible to security breaches. Biometric authentication could offer a more secure alternative, but its implementation has not yet been explored within the university's network infrastructure.
Objectives of the Study:
To design and implement a biometric authentication system for secure network access control at Federal University, Kashere.
To evaluate the effectiveness of biometric authentication in improving access security compared to traditional password-based methods.
To assess the feasibility of integrating biometric authentication into the existing network infrastructure at the university.
Research Questions:
How can biometric authentication enhance the security of network access at Federal University, Kashere?
What are the comparative advantages of biometric authentication over traditional password-based methods?
How feasible is the implementation of biometric authentication within the university's current network infrastructure?
Significance of the Study:
The implementation of biometric authentication at Federal University, Kashere, will significantly strengthen the security of the institution’s network access, protecting sensitive academic and administrative data from unauthorized access. This research will also contribute to the growing body of knowledge on biometric security systems in higher education institutions and provide a model for other universities to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks.
Scope and Limitations of the Study:
This study focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of a biometric authentication system for secure network access control at Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State. The research will be limited to biometric methods such as fingerprint and facial recognition, excluding other types of biometric technologies. The limitations of the study include the reliance on the university’s existing network infrastructure and available resources for implementing biometric solutions.
Definitions of Terms:
Biometric Authentication: A security process that uses unique physical characteristics of an individual, such as fingerprints or facial features, to verify their identity.
Network Access Control: The process of regulating who can access a network, ensuring that only authorized users can access resources.
Access Control System: A system designed to restrict access to a network or resource to authorized users, typically through passwords, biometrics, or tokens
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