The first step in securing your business is protecting your customers’ security. This means learning about the latest ID verification technologies and then implementing them. Several factors should be weighed before adopting a new ID verification system. Each will have varying levels of impact on your business and its users.
This article will examine the latest ID verification technologies available today. We will also examine their features and how they can help your business gain a competitive edge.
Online Identity Verification For Businesses
ID verification is the process of confirming that a person or entity can be trusted. It is a critical part of online commerce, banking, and other online services.
Online ID verification is particularly important for online e-commerce businesses and services. It helps to prevent fraud and keep your business safe from criminals.
How Does ID Verification Work?
Online ID verification is very important in customer relationship management (CRM). It lets businesses know who they are dealing with and what they can expect from that person.
You have to recognize the online verification process that fits your business type. Yet, the process must be secure and easy for a better customer experience.
Many B2B online identity verification solutions come as:
- Online software
- an API to integrate into your website,
- a plug-in for your CMS,
- or a dedicated product.
The most common way to execute verification is an API. This is because an API can integrate into your website without technical coding. It allows a seamless experience for the user.
Besides, you don’t need a separate website for the verification functionality. Some even offer mobile apps or browser extensions.
Top Trends in Identity Verification Solutions
Age Verification Solutions
Identity verification has become popular to improve customer experience. Age identity verification is also important for legal processes.
For instance, cannabis dispensaries must verify their customers’ ages before selling marijuana. If an underage customer orders a product online, they could be charged with providing illegal substances.
Many ready-to-use online solutions now provide the right tools to verify customers’ age. This is part of the online identity verification solution framework. The new trend is implementing a single API integration into your online website or store. The API uses data, documents, or biometrics to create a secure database verifying users’ ages.
API integration method for online age verification is fast and reliable. It keeps your customers’ data safe and private. It is also a no-coding solution that anyone can set up without much technical knowledge.
Knowledge-Based Authentications (KBAs)
Knowledge-based identification relies on the user’s knowledge to verify their identity. This authentication approach is a natural fit for a business that wants a secure customer login. It’s used with other authentication methods such as biometrics but can also be used independently.
KBAs can either be static or dynamic.
- Static KBAs: Static knowledge-based identification uses pre-determined rules. The authentication relies on a database of user-specific information. This includes names, passwords, email addresses, birthdates, etc.
- Dynamic KBAs: Dynamic knowledge-based identification uses rules learned over time. They include social media logins and OTP (One Time Password).
Here are some knowledge-based authentication systems used by online companies:
Username and Password Authentication
Username and password are common use cases for knowledge-based authentication. When you ask users to log into their account with a username and password, that is a KBI identification.
Social Media Authentication
Social media login is another example of knowledge-based identification in action. In this case, you will need users to gain access by logging into their social media accounts. You can use sites like Facebook or Twitter so that you can use them as part of your login process.
SMS OTP
In this KBA system, users enter their phone numbers into an authentication system. The system sends them a text message containing a one-time password (OTP). This method uses less storage space than other KBAs. This is because it requires data from the user’s device or account. However, it is also prone to cyber-attacks.
Biometrics Verification Solutions
Using biometrics data to identify customers is now a standard for identity verification.
The technology behind biometrics has evolved. Most people are familiar with fingerprint readers, iris scanners and facial recognition. Companies also use other biological attributes like hand geometry and vein recognition.
As an online business, you can now collect users’ biometric data at various points throughout the customer journey. For instance, during the application process, checkout and even at the sale end.
However, biometrics has some limitations. They are only as good as the underlying data and require trained experts to manage and maintain them. This means biometrics will not work for everyone. This is especially true in situations with no infrastructure to support them.
Here are some biometric identification methods you can implement in your online business:
Facial recognition and matching
Facial recognition techniques identify and verify individuals using computer vision algorithms. The algorithm analyze captured images and verify them within a database.
This technique verifies customers at the online transactions of the point of sale (POS). It helps verify identity by comparing captured images with those stored in databases.
Voice recognition
Voice recognition technology enables automated processing of voice data through:
- Speech-to-text conversion,
- Speaker identification,
- Automatic speech recognition and
- Synthesis of text-to-speech (TTS).
Voice recognition is mostly used to verify customers at POS terminals. For example, when making online purchases or payments. With voice recognition, you can verify people based on their voiceprint patterns.
Online digital fingerprinting
Phones and PCs now have fingerprint scanners to authenticate customers. The digital fingerprinting process takes a picture of the finger or thumb with a scanner. The image is then sent to a central server for verification stored in the central repository (CR).
The CR has a database of all possible digital fingerprints for each user. It also maintains records of all transactions made by that user. This helps prevent identity fraud and reduces the time taken to verify the identity of users.
Iris and retina scanning
Iris scanning and retina scanning are also becoming more popular. These technologies tell users to look at a small image of their iris or retina on a screen. The system then compares the captured image against stored images in databases. The iris scanning method allows users to verify their identity without typing anything.
ID Document Scanning
Online ID Document Scanning is an efficient way to get credentials from any document. It further stores the credentials in the cloud.
The solution can scan any ID document. This includes government-issued IDs, driver’s licenses, passports, utility bills and more.
Online ID Document Scanning extracts data from IDs safely. It simplifies personal data collection for customer onboarding and other processes. You can leverage this process to verify the authenticity of your user’s documents. The system compares the document with a verified government or other primary databases.
Two-Step Verification
Two-step verification is a step up from traditional password-based authentication. It requires two pieces of information to access the service. This is usually a password or recovery code on a device unique to your accounts, such as an app or a security key.
Two-step verification aims to increase your customer’s security. It requires them to provide two pieces of information to access their account.
This security feature is useful to protect your customers’ from fraudulent online purchases. You can need users to answer a security question before accessing their accounts. This will help prevent phishing attacks.
To Wrap it Up
The latest verification solution helps to improve customer experience and detect fraud. In any case, identity verification technologies offer important benefits to every business.
Your decision to invest in any ID solution relies on your unique business needs. However, the information is a useful starting point for you to make an informed decision. You can start deciding which ID verification technology best fits your business.