Protection of BCI system via reversible watermarking of EEG signal

Abstract

The brain–computer interface (BCI) system is doing wonders for people suffering from restricted physical abilities due to accidents or diseases. BCI requires recording of electroencephalogram (EEG) from the subject in order to control electrical devices. In the wireless BCI system, there is always a possibility of EEG signal tampering/attacking during transmission, which may result in malfunction of the BCI system. This work introduces a security block in the BCI system that can ensure that the recorded EEG signals are intact at the receiving end of wireless BCI system. The security block identifies any tampering as well as authenticates the EEG signals at receiving end. Any change in EEG signal can result into classification error; because of that prediction error expansion based reversible watermarking approach has been used. The proposed scheme works efficiently and performance of BCI system remains unaltered after inclusion of security block.

Brain-computer interfaces in safety and security fields: Risks and applications

“…Karim et al (2019) address the study of Bluetooth operating parameters necessary to meet the performance, usability, and privacy requirements of reliable and secure mobile BCIs applications. To avoid the alteration or attack of the EEG signal during the transmission of the wireless BCI, Bhalerao et al (2020) introduce a security lock-in between the EEG recording system and the processing system. Bellman et al (2018) studied as attackers can obtain private information from individuals without their consent using modern consumergrade BCI devices based on the level of recognition a victim has of a specific face.…”