Guide to Choose the Identity Authentication Services

The global market for identity verification is largely fragmented. This makes it hard for enterprises and security professionals to choose a viable identity authentication services solution. Finding the right solution for a business depends on the organisational objectives, total budgets, and the functionalities offered by the authentication service provider. Professionals choosing this solution for the enterprise must understand the various factors before finalising a solution.

Types of Identity Authentication Services:

Identity verification is a broad term. Companies talking about implementing identity authentication services usually look for either electronic identity verification services or documentary identity verification.

Electronic Identity Verification:

This type of ID verification generally covers one user typing data into a virtual form, usually made up of their name, address, date of birth and other personal identification records such as a passport, PAN or Aadhar card number. Once they enter this information, it gets compared against centralised databases. This helps verify the authenticity of the user. 

Documentary Identity Verification:

This form of identity verification generally requires users to take a picture of any genuine government-issued document like a driving licence or passport. Sometimes users are also required to hold up the document and take a selfie in their current location so that the system can verify that the document is authentic and not forged. 

Both these forms of identity verification services are offered by a wide range of service providers. However, they all provide varying services, functions, payment models and customer support. Depending on the specific needs of a business, one solution will prove to be more apt than the rest. 

Factors to Consider While Choosing an Identity Authentication Services Provider:

A few factors enterprise decision-makers must consider are:

Evaluate business objectives:

Every business has unique needs. Based on the nature of the data they store, varying levels of security and authentication are needed. For example, companies looking for a solution that will check the identities of people entering the office, and an attendance system, can do so using a biometric or fingerprint scanner. In such a situation, using complex security systems will result in high costs without using all the system features. On the other hand, an enterprise that deals with sensitive data, such as financial institutions, banks or cryptocurrency firms, will need intricate solutions to verify the authorised users’ identity. A simple one-step authentication process is not enough for companies using sensitive user or enterprise data. AML and KYC regulations also mandate cross-checking and screening against several data sources. 

Analyse the user journey and process flow:

Depending on individual situations, user identity verification requires multiple sets of user data. Which services will the enterprise require? Is there a process that the solution follows before granting access to users? These are all relevant questions that stakeholders must ask while choosing an identity authentication services provider. If users can make do with a physical access card, additional facial recognition won’t serve any purpose. Some situations where this is applicable are liquor stores, the gaming sector and websites that use age restrictions. In some cases, enterprises add extravagant features assuming the overall process is more secure and easier. However, it usually ends up increasing friction and jarring the customer experience. Enterprises should focus on what they require instead of what is available to get the right balance of services they need.

Track customer behaviour:

One significant factor determining business success is customer behaviour. Every business needs to track user behaviour in the context of an omnichannel presence. Enterprises should always know whether a consumer is using a desktop or a mobile device for their activities. The right solution for each channel should be decided during the planning stage because every channel has unique features and differing challenges. For instance, the responsiveness on a mobile device is a larger challenge than on a desktop or laptop. Whichever business strategy or solution a business adopts, decision-makers must ensure smooth consumer interactions and consistency in the process. 

Balance user experience and security:

Verifying an authorised user’s identity without spoiling the seamless user experience is one of the greatest challenges that businesses today encounter. There is a wide range of benefits derived from identity verification processes, but this only works with an appropriate solution and application. For instance, users are more likely to accept complex security checks while logging into their bank pages than while signing in to their social media profiles. 

While choosing the right identity authentication services for a business, stakeholders must analyse how much value this solution will provide, how comfortable users will be on this journey and whether the solution provides the necessary security. It also requires establishing a threshold for security acceptance. For example, while using facial recognition as identity verification, any match above the defined security threshold will ideally account for a face match.

Understanding your identity authentication service requirements before choosing a solution is critical for you to get the highest value, greater security and a seamless customer experience.