Authentication: The Key Element In Verification Processes
Knowing who you are working with in the modern, technologically advanced age is critical to stay safe in all your endeavors. That is why you should always verify the identity of those you intend to work with through authentication.
The cybercrime statistics from the past few years have been quite worrying. Research shows that there is a case of identity fraud every 22 seconds in the US. That means many businesses are falling prey to some of the shrewdest criminals technology has brought and incurring insurmountable losses. Something needs to be done to reduce the rate of identity fraud and cybercrime.
While there are numerous techniques that can help someone verify the identity of those they are interacting with, nothing beats authentication in the verification process. So, let’s learn about how authentication plays a key role in verification.
Understanding Authentication
The concept of authentication is one that many researchers and analysts in the field of cybersecurity have explored. While every researcher often comes up with their understanding of what authentication means, most often break down authentication into a single component. They all consider authentication to be the method by which one individual verifies that a person is actually who they say they are.
In identity verification, authentication helps in determining the true identity of another individual through different methods.
The first common technique of authentication is using a single authentication factor, such as a password, to be sure that another person is truly who they say they are. To improve the effectiveness of this method, other security experts couple multiple authentication factors together, such as facial recognition or biometric scans, together with passwords.
However, authentication goes beyond just confirming the identity of someone. It can also include verifying the things they say about themselves even after knowing their true identity. For example, when hiring a new employee, there’s more you need to know other than the identity of that person. You also need to confirm their criminal and credit history, education and employment background, and more. Authentication can help with all of that.
That explains why authentication is the backbone of the verification process.
How Authentication Helps To Verify Identity?
Now that you have learned about the benefits of authentication, the next step is discussing the different modes of authentication and how you can use them to verify identity.
1. Background Checking
Performing a background check on your associates is one of the best ways you can use to find out the sordid details. Running a background check can help you learn about the true identity someone has.
Background checks in the authentication process can be done in different ways. You can start by running a highly detailed check on the criminal history of a search subject to see whether they have a criminal past. Finding out the credit history of someone can also help you to know whether you can trust them with a loan.
2. Image And Liveness Verification
Our likeness and images are one of our true defining characteristics. Even people who change their appearance through cosmetic surgery retain some element of their facial appearance. Authentication methods that use image and liveness verification standards can help you confirm the image of a subject to be sure of their identity. Such authentication methods are quite effective in building a profile of the people you interact with.
Image verification methods that use liveness verification are impossible to beat. Anyone who tries to defeat the process by using a photograph cannot overcome the liveness feature since it can tell the difference between a photo and a real person.
3. ID Authentication
One of the strategies fraudsters and scammers use in the cybercrime space is using fake IDs to access services they have no business accessing. A fake ID can help a fraudulent person create a false persona that can be used to steal from innocent victims.
Fake IDs have advanced beyond those ordinary ones that could fool the teller at the bar that you are 21. But groundbreaking technology has still caught up to help those who want to be sure that the ID is validly issued by the government.
Authentication methods for IDs include checking in verifiable and authoritative government databases that the ID exists and that the ID is validly registered to a particular person. That helps to be sure about that person’s true identity.
4. Checking Past Employment And Education Credentials
The last common method of identity verification is checking for past employment and education credentials, especially for prospective employees.
When hiring a new employee, you want to be sure that the prospective hire has the right qualifications for the role. So you can authenticate this information by running a check that ascertains this information and weeds out people that lie on their resumes. You can be sure of a good chance of hiring the best with that information!
Bottom Line
Authentication methods go a long way towards helping someone find out the true identity of whoever they are interacting with.
Verifying identity through authentication is critical for businesses or individuals who want to avoid falling victim to fraudsters. And you, too, can succeed in authentication if you try out the methods we have noted above! You can work with different experts in authentication to access the best services possible!