As of 2023, at least 353 million individuals worldwide were impacted by identity theft. The increasing technology and implementation of AI in almost everything is somehow affecting the lives of people negatively. Artificial intelligence is more comprehensive than providing assistance in writing. It can easily replicate someone’s face, voice, and other biometrics. 

Thus, to embark on these growing issues, identity authentication is pivotal in providing economic security and surveillance to financial institutions. It is a crucial aspect of KYC regulatory compliance that ensures the authenticity of the customers, whether they are legitimate or involved in any financial crime.

This article will delve into the necessity of identity verification and how it develops trust among banks and customers for forthcoming financial relations. 

What is Authentication of ID?

Identity authentication is the method of confining that the users may or may not have access to specific services and actions. It also verifies the identities of the applicants to ensure they are not associated with illegal activities or firms. Authentication of identity is a crucial process in various areas, such as online transactions, accessing secure systems, and verifying identities for legal or administrative purposes. 

It is simply a process for the user to prove his identity by different authentication methods. Authentication helps prevent unauthorized access, identity theft, and fraud. Thus, banks must ensure the security and integrity of systems and transactions before onboarding new customers. 

The Importance of Online Identity Authentication

In the evolving world, where artificial intelligence is replacing many aspects of life. It has also been used to fabricate documents and forge identities. However, somehow, fraudsters replicate people’s identities and cause losses to financial institutions. Therefore, online identity authentication is crucial in determining applicants and mitigating the risk of fraud. This also ensures the protection of the interest of the banks and secures the user’s information by enhancing customer experience. ID authentication online helps detect and prevent online fraud, such as account takeover, phishing, and spoofing. By verifying the identity of users, organizations can minimize the risk of fraudulent activities.

The Methods of Authentication of Identity

There are primarily four main methods used for the authentication of identity that enable banks to have robust compliance against any fraudulent affair. The following are those: 

Knowledge-Based Authentication: This involves verifying information from the user by authenticating it through secret questions, and only the user knows the answer. It is a very well-known method of authentication. This includes questions like, What is the name of your first pet? The name of the childhood school? , etc. 

Biometric Authentication: In this method, the user is authenticated by the physiological characters of the individuals, such as through fingerprints, iris scans, facial recognition, or voice recognition, to verify their identity. This method is being used more often than others by the fintech apps to verify the user before each transaction. 

Password Authentication: This involves verifying identity through passwords, or PINs, that the user has imposed while signing up. These can be used in mobile apps and at ATMs as well. 

2-Factor Authentication (MFA): This combines two different authentication methods for added security. For example, a system might require a password, a fingerprint scan, or a code sent to a mobile phone to authenticate and process further. 

The authentication process helps prevent unauthorized access, identity theft, and fraudulent activities, ensuring system and transaction security and integrity.

The Optimal Identity Authentication Checks For Onboarding New Bank Users 

Identity authentication is essential for some organizations to stay up-to-date with their systems in case new users or breaches occur. Thus, the identity authentication checks for onboarding new bank users encompass a multi-layered approach. This integrates traditional and cutting-edge methods to ensure robust security without compromising user experience. Initially, rigid Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures verify personal information by authenticating government-issued documents and certain biometrics such as facial recognition or fingerprint scans. 

Additionally, behavioral analytics algorithms scrutinize user interactions in real-time by detecting anomalies or suspicious activities. Employing machine learning algorithms, the system continuously refines its criteria, adapting to evolving threats and user behaviors. This comprehensive framework fortifies the bank’s defenses against identity fraud, fostering customer trust and confidence and ensuring a seamless and secure onboarding process.

Final Statement

In conclusion, the evolving threat of identity theft and fraud highlights the need to implement advanced identity authentication measures in financial institutions. It leverages a combination of knowledge-based, biometric, password, and multi-factor authentication methods that banks can use to defend themselves against unauthorized access and fraudulent activities. As technology continues to evolve, new approaches are required to security, and prioritizing identity authentication is paramount in establishing trust in the financial system. Banks mitigate risks, enhance customer experience, and foster long-term relationships built on trust and security by investing in rigorous authentication systems.