Thanks to modern technology and the systems that depend on it, life online has never been simpler or more secure. Think, for example, how easy it is to open a bank account, which requires highly sensitive personal data. From the bank customer’s point of view, it’s a piece of cake. In most cases, all you need is an identity card and a device capable of sending camera images (a smartphone, tablet, or laptop) to identify yourself quickly. The underlying technology that makes our lives so easy is called identity verification or simply “ID verification”. Find out where ID verification is particularly effective and what makes 2FA (two-factor authentication) its perfect partner.
What is ID verification? And what makes it so secure?
To provide a simple explanation of ID verification, we will return to the example of a bank account. To open a new bank account, we need to prove that we are who we say we are. The biometric photo ID (identification card) is the usual form of verification. However, verification of this document previously required us to visit a bank branch and wait around for a member of staff to confirm our identity. A bank employee would then make a copy of the identity card and keep a printout of it as proof. Only then could a bank account be opened. This remains an inconvenient and labour-intensive process.
Not so with ID verification. Now, all it takes is the identity card, the actual customer, as well as a device equipped with a camera and an Internet connection – such as a smartphone, laptop or tablet. During the ID check, the facial biometrics and the identification document are compared completely automatically, without the involvement of a staff member. This makes ID verification impervious to cyber-attacks that focus on the area of identity fraud because employees are more likely to make mistakes.
Biometric facial verification for maximum security
In terms of its technology, ID verification operates at the cutting edge. If you need to verify your identity, you can capture the image of an identity card using the camera on your device. The document is automatically recognised and filed. Good camera quality and lighting conditions are important for capturing the image of an identity document. ID verification also detects important security features on identity cards such as holograms or lenticular printing (“flip images”). With the help of the video selfie function, your physical appearance is then automatically compared with your identity document. The powerful biometric facial verification functionality protects against attacks using masks, prints or screens, thus making identity theft virtually impossible.
ID verification and 2FA – a match made in heaven
For optimum security, Nevis Security not only offers extremely secure ID verification technology but has also combined it with other robust components for optimum protection. The use of 2FA (two-factor authentication) or passwordless authentication as well as transaction signing using push notifications* makes identity verification unique and bulletproof. This also benefits companies that are looking for an all-in-one solution.
Advantages for companies
Automatic ID verification doesn’t just save time for users. Companies that use this technology to identify their customers or employees also save money. That’s because the application only charges for each check, which means that companies only pay for the work actually performed. Traditional video authentication requires one or more employees who must be paid, can be absent due to illness and may not always be fully focused on the task depending on their workload, resulting in greater potential for errors. What’s more, identity verification using ID verification can also be performed at any time, even on Sundays and public holidays. The check is performed immediately and fits seamlessly into the flexible everyday lives of many customers. Only in a small number of cases is autonomous authentication, supported by additional functions including 2FA (two-factor authentication), not possible. In such a case, it is necessary to use an “old-fashioned” backup in the form of an employee who can confirm one’s identity in person.
Empirical data from Nevis show just how high demand is for technical solutions like ID verification. Even though it was only introduced in January 2022, companies from the industrial, finance & banking and online gambling sectors are using ID verification.
*A transaction such as a bank transfer of a specific amount requires a signature. This can be done on a smartphone. After providing the signature, the user must then approve the transaction with the help of a push notification.
