Ipsidy's Identity Portal uses biometrics for secure access

Ipsidy, an identity-as-a-service vendor, has released its Identity Portal for general availability. The portal, a web browser interface, enables enterprises to rapidly implement biometric authorization methods for enhanced security.

Ipsidy's Identity Portal intends to eliminate complicated biometric security implementation typically involving developer expertise, coding and software integration. Identity Portal enables clients to log in and customize configuration for any use case, as well as set up custom transactions, customer groups and preferred authentication types.

Biometric authentication methods analyze physical and behavioral characteristics in lieu of alphanumeric passwords, using techniques such as facial recognition, voice ID, fingerprint scanning or iris recognition, among others. While it's difficult to steal, fake or duplicate these kinds of personal identifiers, biometric authentication can be costly and misidentify users if all of the necessary biometric data isn't captured during setup. Some users also worry how their personal data might be used.

Identity Portal includes full versions of Ipsidy's Proof and Verified services.

Proof enables users to collect identity documents via a mobile app, matching facial biometrics against government-issued credentials. Taking seconds to initiate and complete business processes, Proof is ideal for customer onboarding, employee applications, account opening and closing, and any scenario that requires high identity assurance levels and fraud prevention.

With Verified, customers take selfies as biometric authentication on defined transactions to gain account access, approve or reject transactions and provide consent for wire transfers, account maintenance and more.

Additionally, Identity Portal features the following capabilities:

• Businesses can send Verified messages confirming their brand identity to protect customers' potentially fraudulent phone calls or scams.
• Portal enterprise clients can send customers Verified images of technicians arriving at customers' homes.
• In the workplace, employees can take selfies to gain access to systems and provide consent for a variety of internal business processes.

Ipsidy's flagship identity-as-a-service platform replaces physical identification or an in-person visit with a biometric-enhanced mobile app. The Identity Portal is well-suited for customer experience environments, according to the vendor, by allowing businesses, as well as customers to identify themselves in digital interactions.

According to an IBM study, biometrics as a security measure is growing in popularity, but with variances across industries and generations. For instance, users are more cautious to use biometrics where security is highly valued, such as with banking apps, but prefer the convenience of biometric authentication with social media apps or email

Additionally, the report found millennials are more lenient in secure password creation and 75% are comfortable using biometrics; older generations take passwords strength more seriously, with only 58% of people over 55 years old trusting biometrics.

The most common of biometric authentication methods is fingerprint authentication, which Apple popularized with its Touch ID for iPhones; similar technology is now in Android devices and some tablets and computers. Apple additionally incorporated facial recognition in newer iPhones in lieu of passwords or passcodes.

Like Ipsidy's Identity Portal, Alibaba also employs facial recognition via a selfie upload to verify users. IProov uses facial verification technology that detects movement to ensure users are not just holding a still photo in front of the camera.