Cyberattacks, data breaches, and identity theft continue to grab headlines \u2014 and share of mind! These are existential threats to our digital lives, no joke. (If you’ve ever had your identity stolen online, you know!) We look to techniques such as multi-factor authentication to protect our digital identities, our commerce, and our institutions. Failure to properly secure our digital lives jeopardizes our privacy, our finances, and even our sense of wellbeing and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can multi-factor authentication shoulder this burden? Luckily, it can. As a minimum, enterprises should look at introducing two-factor authentication (2FA) to address the majority of authentication problems. 2FA offers a considerable uplift in security, which previously relied on only user IDs and passwords. Hackers know this, as 2FA defeats nearly all automated attacks, forcing attackers to conduct more expensive and very targeted operations. This reduces the overall amount of fraud and the number of victims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we introduce four different telephone number verification methods – SMS Verification<\/a><\/strong>, Flash Call Verification<\/a>, Phone Call Verification<\/a>, and Data Verification<\/a> – and explain how they can be used as a “proof of possession” element of authentication. Then we highlight how blending these methods can yield exceptional results for your customers, your teams, and your company!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be wondering: How do organizations implement effective customer security without harming user experience? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The key here is to tap into a technology that virtually all customers understand and have access to. This is why telephone number verification methods are the go-to service for 2FA. Plus, when customers lose, break, or change their devices, their accounts can still be accessed because the phone number is portable \u2014 and an important element of their identity. No other 2FA technique offers the universality, resilience, or availability of phone number-based 2FA! <\/p>\n\n\n\n By adopting the right blend of SMS, Flash Call, Phone Call, and Data Verification methods, you can optimize costs, offer better protection, and provide the best possible experience for users. They can be used to complement one another and give businesses the freedom to choose the identity verification method that’s right for their users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sinch offers this flexibility through a single verification API<\/a> that integrates seamlessly into your back-end security processes. Why complicate things?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s take a closer look at these methods individually!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read on below or watch our quick YouTube playlist<\/a> introducing all methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This method verifies user identity by sending a one-time passcode (OTP) via a mobile text message (SMS). The user receives the code and enters it into a field on the page or app where they’re trying to log in. When logging in via a mobile device, at times the code can be extracted from the SMS message<\/a> automatically \u2014 meaning the user doesn’t even have to manually enter the code. Easy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about SMS identity verification<\/a>, then, watch our video to see how sending SMS identity verification establishes trust<\/a> and quickly reaches customers around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through this method, the user receives a call to their mobile. The phone number used to make this automated call \u2014 the “calling party number” \u2014 is selected randomly from a large pool of in-service numbers. The calling party number functions as a one-time code. The mobile app intercepts the call and automatically sends a request to validate that the calling party number matches the verification request. In this way, authentication may happen safely and automatically, no user invention required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about Flash Call identity verification<\/a>, and watch our video about how Flash Calls work<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through this method, the user receives a verification code by answering an incoming phone call. Text-to-speech software reads the code aloud to the user, who then types in the code manually on the login page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about Phone Call Verification<\/a>, or watch our video to see how voice codes enable verification<\/a> in more than 200 territories across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This new authentication method removes the social engineering risk associated with OTPs. It\u2019s also the fastest method \u2014 and it doesn\u2019t require any user interaction! So how does it work? It compares the end-user’s phone number against a carrier-issued token that represents the end-user’s mobile data session, thus confirming the user\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about Data Verification<\/a>, and watch our video to see how this works<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, each method has its pros, but also a few cons. The best way to optimize both security and the user experience is to use a robust identity verification solution combining multiple, safe options for users. Companies need access to insights from large amounts of data to determine which methods work best, and where. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Integrating all these verification solutions is easy when all are available on a single platform, utilize a shared API, follow the same logic, and employ the same software development kit (SDK). You\u2019ll begin seeing verification success rates increase while users enjoy a streamlined experience, no matter their individual requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By now you may have guessed that Sinch offers a single API for all of these verification methods. And we’re proud of it! Our deep understanding of identity verification best practices helps you streamline customer onboarding and<\/em> simplify both login and approvals as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a developer, be sure to visit the portal to try out Sinch with 2 free euros in starting credits<\/a>. If you\u2019re a product manager, contact a Sinch identity verification expert<\/a> to talk about these methods today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":14203,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"blog_category":[77,75],"class_list":["post-14202","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_category-fraud-and-security","blog_category-products"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy blend identity verification methods?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
SMS identity verification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The advantages of SMS Verification:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Things to consider when using SMS Verification: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Flash call identity verification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The advantages of Flash Call Verification: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Things to consider when using Flash Call:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Phone Call verification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The advantages of Phone Call Verification:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Things to consider when using Phone Call Verification: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Data verification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The advantages of Data Verification:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Things to consider when using Data Verification: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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All methods on a single platform<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sinch API supports next-level identity verification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n