Bahaa Abdul Hadi is an Identity Management expert and regularly shares his experiences with his audience through his blogs.

Mobile phones have penetrated every aspect of our lives, whether banking or healthcare. Governments are encouraging digital transactions. In such a scenario, mobile identity becomes very important and helps in leveraging mobile use. Mobile Identity protects both the user as well as financial institutions from fraud. Mobile identity uses a user’s identity characteristics linked to a mobile device to identify, authenticate and verify the user.

Methods Used in Mobile Identity

Mobile networks play a pivotal role in providing services and solutions for mobile identity. Some methods used for identity verification are as follows:

Biometric Verification

In this method, selfie photos are used to prove the identity of any person who presents an official ID. Sometimes multiple biometric traits like facial scans and fingerprints are also used.

Identity Document Verification

Advanced algorithms check the legitimacy of official documents.

Verification Using One-time Passcode (OTP)

A single-use passcode sent through SMS or email is used for identity verification.

Liveness Detection

This method detects spoofing attacks like a mask or photo of a photo in selfie photos. The person sending the selfie is instructed to make some head movements or do expressions like blinking, smiling, closing their eyes or turning their head for liveness detection.

Trusted Identity Network

This method involves the use of the applicant’s prevalent credentials with other providers like banks or credit unions to confirm their identity.

Mobile Digital Signature

The SIM is the best tool for supporting digital signatures. A Wireless Public Key Infrastructure (WPKI) is established and digital certificates are provided through the SIM. This digital identity can be used for a wide range of services. Some governments have accorded the same rights to mobile digital signatures as handwritten signatures.

Federated Identity

Here a single set of credentials are used across numerous IT systems or websites. This makes logging in a one-click process.

Advantages of Mobile Identity

Identifying ourselves online gives us access to an array of services. There are many advantages of using the mobile identity.

  • It is portable as it is linked to mobile.
  • Can be used for multiple online and offline transactions.
  • They are economical
  • They are highly prevalent
  • It is safe
  • It is useful for people who lack proof of official identity.
  • It is more convenient as it eliminates the need for multiple passwords.
  • The use of biometrics prevents application fraud.

Mobile identity is still in its infancy but slowly gaining popularity. Thank you for your interest in Bahaa Abdul Hadi blogs. For more information, please visit www.bahaaabdulhadi.com.