Authentication, Identity Verification, and Identification: What's the Difference

Introduction

In a technologically-driven modern world, we have to prove our identities by authenticating ourselves several times a day to get secure access to devices, networks, and platforms.

However, when we talk about authentication, id verification, and identification, things seem to revolve around just verifying a profile/person, but it’s not the case.

People usually consider all three the same thing, but things are entirely different when we see stuff through the lens of information security experts.

Let’s uncover the fundamental differences between the three terms and understand the importance of each term.

What is Authentication?

Authentication can be defined as proving the identity of a user accessing a computer system or a network.

Authentication helps verify the identity of a person they claim to be. Once the identity is confirmed, access to a particular account, resource, or computer system is granted.

In a nutshell, authentication is uniquely identifying an individual via a set of credentials. In the digital world, authentication is verifying a person's identity or an electronic device.

Authentication becomes necessary because it increases the security of consumers' data. No one can enter the website and access your data without verifying or authenticating oneself.

The most famous example of authentication is entering into a system using login credentials.

With the massive increase in digital platforms, the demand for various authentication processes has increased for both online and physical systems.

What is Identity Verification?

Identity verification can be defined as ensuring that users provide correct information associated with the identity of a natural person they claim to be.

Identity verification ensures that no unauthorized person is carrying out a process by using false identities or hijacking their identities on any other's behalf.

Verifying identities is a crucial security measure that mitigates the risks of fraud and identity thefts. It also helps carry out KYC (know your customers) processes for secure account management.

On the other hand, digital identity verification is the process of verifying the identity of an individual by using computer technology. Digital identity document verification can help businesses and governments verify users' identities online.

What is Identification?

Identification refers to identifying a person through identity proof to ensure no unauthorized person accesses sensitive information.

Businesses must ensure that they have robust mechanisms to identify their users and customers so that no fraudster could impersonate a user and access critical information.

Moreover, identity theft is swiftly becoming the new way of exploiting customer information, which can also cause financial losses to businesses.

Adding stringent security layers in the form of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and risk-based authentication (RBA) could significantly decrease the chances of identity theft.

What is the Purpose of Identity Security?

Identity security is a comprehensive way to secure digital identities within a network in the most basic sense.

Any identity- whether an employee, third-party vendor, consumer, or IT admin can be privileged in specific ways that can lead to a security breach causing losses worth millions of dollars for an organization.

Adding multiple layers of security through robust authentication and authorization can help mitigate identity theft risk.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 encouraged remote working ecosystems that aren’t as secure as traditional working environments, there’s an immediate need for an identity security solution for businesses adopting these remote working scenarios.

Why Do You Need Identity Security?

In the past couple of years, businesses have been compromising consumer identities, leading to financial losses and tarnished reputations.

Even the most robust security system can’t ensure identity security without stringent authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Apart from this, the sudden paradigm shift towards online platforms has also increased the number of signups and registrations on diverse media leading to an increased risk of data breaches since most users aren’t aware of online security best practices.

Also, specific privacy and data security compliances like the GDPR and CCPA require organizations storing consumer information to adhere to their regulations to ensure maximum consumer safety. In contrast, their data is being collected, stored, and managed.

How LoginRadius Help with Authentication, Identity Verification, and Identification?

LoginRadius' modern CIAM solution is designed to be more flexible and intuitive. It addresses every subtle component that can improve consumers' experience while providing an unmatched safeguard for private data.

What puts LoginRadius ahead of the curve are the three most fundamental aspects:

• Frictionless security: Strengthened security doesn't have to come at the cost of convenience. LoginRadius' modern CIAM solution like MFA, passwordless login, phone login, social login, etc., ensures no friction while authenticating.
• Privacy management: Proficient privacy management is the key to winning consumers' trust. Our new-age CIAM solution considers every subtle privacy concern related to international regulations like the GDPR and the CCPA.
• Seamless integration: Another feature that sets LoginRadius' new-age CIAM apart from the rest is the seamless integration with the modern tools geared to offer smooth and secure access.
• MFA and RBA: LoginRadius offers stringent account security through multi-factor authentication that only authenticated users can access accounts or systems. Also, risk-based authentication ensures robust security in high-risk situations.

If you wish to experience the next level of account security and authentication, reach the LoginRadius team to schedule a personalized demo.