DARPA is looking for the next great method of capturing fingerprint readings and believes it may have a solution in cognitive fingerprint recognition, reports Design News.

Through its Active Authentication program, DARPA is trying to develop new ways to authenticate computer users through software that will identify unique users based on their behavioral traits. With this cognitive authentication, computer systems won’t need to rely on time-consuming biometric devices like fingerprint scanners.

DARPA hopes that its efforts pay off in a system where authentication happens in the background without interrupting workflow.

The Active Authentication program consists of multiple phases that examine different biometric capture methods that don’t rely on extra sensors, involve design of behavioral pattern-tracking software and integrating new technology into the Department of Defense software system.

Read more here.