What Is Digital ID Verification and How Does It Work?

Benefits of Digital ID Verification

As mentioned, there is no question about the need for digital identity verification. Between the sheer number of online transactions and the rampant amount of fraud, impersonation, and illicit financial behaviour, having a digital solution is the only way forward. However, there are a number of clear advantages to a digital identification verification process. FOr example:

• Minimised risk of human error: Since digital ID verification relies on algorithms, which are consistently improving thanks to machine learning capabilities, the margin of error for false identifications is low and constantly decreasing. On the contrary, human detection is and has always been prone to fatigue and bias and lacks the same level of accuracy as a machine-based system.
• Speed and efficiency: Digital ID verification solutions are able to tackle multiple verification processes simultaneously and quickly. This is essential given the number of transactions taking place online at any given moment.
• Added security and convenience for customers: Digital ID verification relies on a number of foolproof factors to verify users are who they claim to be. Much of this process happens behind the scenes (with biometrics and comparisons against golden source data). This not only means that users are not involved in complex authentication procedures, it also means potential fraudsters have little opportunity to interfere and manipulate the system.

How does Digital ID Verification work?

The digital ID verification process generally relies on three basic methods of identification. In many cases, and especially for sensitive transactions that require strong verification protocols, more than one method is used. Here’s how they work:

• Document verification: When creating an online account or signing up for an online service, users are prompted to provide a government-issued form of identity. This could either be a passport or an identification card. During the registration or transaction process, users can use a computer camera or smartphone to scan their ID. Once the document is scanned, it can be assessed for authenticity (by confirming e.g. holograms or watermarks, etc.). Finally, this scan is compared against one of the following two features: biometrics or liveness.
• Biometric facial verification: This is the form of digital ID verification that many of us are probably most familiar with since most mobile devices offer facial recognition or fingerprint scans to unlock them. When using biometric facial verification in the digital ID verification process, the service provider prompts the user for a photo during the registration process. This photo is then used to draw a comparison against the user’s face during future transactions.
• Liveness detection: The point of liveness is to provide a real-time verification of a user’s identity. Liveness detection ensures that ill-intentioned third parties can not gain access to an account or services by simply providing a static image of the true account holder. Liveness detection relies on face-mapping and motion detection to conduct a facial recognition process. Liveness detection systems also often request that the user being verified perform specific activities (head nods, blinks) to complete the identity confirmation process.

Nevis Products for Digital ID Verification