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‘Liveness’ testing makes biometrics more effective

LANCE FANAROFF
Biometrics improves information and registration systems and can help limit damage done by organised crime

LANCE FANAROFF Biometrics improves information and registration systems and can help limit damage done by organised crime

19th July 2019

By: Schalk Burger

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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As consumption and business models become more digital and mobile, there is a need for authentication that does not hobble the user experience, while providing robust security measures.

Biometrics is potentially one way of providing security without negatively impacting on user experience. However, biometric systems require security and verification technologies to prove that the biometric signature provided is authentic and reflects the person actively transacting, says biometric technology company iidentifii director Lance Fanaroff.

Most financial institutions have biometric devices in their branches, and the newest banks opened are overtly digital services without branches.

In an era where ‘deep fake’ videos – created using older videos that have been extensively edited – can seem credible and even assumed to be made by the person represented in the video, there is a need to ensure that biometric signatures are submitted by living people.

“Blinking or moving eyebrows can readily be spoofed using images of people and new video and animation technologies, and these are no longer sufficient for liveness tests.”

iidentifii

uses a three-dimensional liveness test that measures a host of attributes of the person to determine liveness, which prevents two-dimensional images being used to defraud people or spoof facial-recognition systems. Other biometric techniques and technologies also benefit from liveness tests, explains Fanaroff.

The company has a range of liveness tests, but its key function is to enforce a triple check for identity.

“Proving liveness is the first step. The next phase is to check the biometric against the records of the company and the Department of Home Affairs, if applicable. This can include a multitude of different images to determine the authenticity of a person’s identity, including checking a recent image of the person, or one taken at the time of transaction, against identity document booklets, passport and/or smart card identity document photos.”

This triangulation of authentication and verification measures provides a high level of security, while ensuring that the user experience remains seamless and quick.

“Biometrics is user friendly and convenient for use in digital and mobile processes. This is one of the factors driving the growth of mobile and digital transactions, rather than people going to a physical outlet.”

Secure digital transacting becomes particularly relevant in rural areas, where it can be prohibitive, in terms of time and distance, to go to a physical outlet. Conversely, it is as difficult for service providers to register people in far-flung places, which can be alleviated using biometrics, as evidenced when using cellphones to open bank accounts.

Further, broadly used biometrics will also help to eliminate so-called ‘ghost’ social grant recipients and ‘ghost’ workers in companies and government systems. A common use of biometrics is to ensure that time and attendance figures are accurate and monitored in real time.

Direct Benefits

Biometrics improves existing information and registration systems and broad use can help to limit the damage being done by organised crime.

“If you had to verify and authorise each debit order, there is a much lower chance that fraudsters would be able to get your money from fake debit-order schemes. We can eliminate fake social grant recipients, ensure that transactions, whether online or physically, are being made by the correct people and that a contractor’s team is verified,” says Fanaroff.

iidentifii

is being approached by financial institutions and public organisations planning to adopt and use biometrics to perform trusted, proven and reliable identity verification and improve security.

“Technology enables us to have more accurate identification and verification measures in place. While not everyone has a smartphone or device, access to such devices has become more mainstream, and is often easier than travelling to a distant location to transact. “Effective biometric security measures will allow for secure transactions to be done using devices and secured against fraud by using liveness testing.”

More secure mobile and online services are driven by user demands and the same systems are not only improving the client experience but also limiting the damage companies and [as a result of] fraud and identity crimes, concludes Fanaroff.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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