Verification (authenticity check)

What is verification in simple words

Verification is the checking of authenticity or confirmation of data. In simple words, it is a process that proves that you are you, and that the information provided or documents are genuine and correct. In banks, when opening an account you are asked to upload a photo of your passport — this is identity verification. On social networks, the blue checkmark is a sign of account verification.

Verification (from the Latin verus — true and facere — to do) is a systematic process of checking and confirming that a product, system or process complies with established requirements and specifications. In the context of information security, verification is used to confirm the authenticity of users, the integrity of data and the correct operation of systems.

It is important to understand that verification differs from authentication. Authentication checks that a user is really who they claim to be (for example, by password or biometrics). Verification checks not only authenticity but also compliance with specified criteria and standards. For example, document verification checks that the document is genuine and that the data in it corresponds to a real person.

Verification is closely related to biometrics and PKI (public key infrastructure). In both cases, cryptographic methods are used to verify the authenticity of data and its integrity.

Types of verification

Depending on the object of verification, verification is divided into several types:

• Identity verification: Checking the correspondence of the presented document to its owner using biometric technologies, including face, fingerprint or iris recognition. Used in banks, at checkpoints and in access control systems.
• Document verification: Checking the authenticity of identity documents and passports using MRZ reading equipment (ARM-1 and ARM-2) and visual control of security elements. Includes checking holograms, watermarks and special security threads.
• Data verification: Checking the integrity and correctness of data stored in systems. For example, checking file checksums or compliance of data with business rules.
• System verification: Checking the compliance of software or hardware with stated characteristics and security requirements.

For corporate systems, verification is integrated with access control systems (ACS) and biometric systems, providing a comprehensive approach to security. The design service includes the selection of verification methods and integration with existing systems.

Biometric verification

Biometric verification is one of the most reliable methods of authenticity checking. It compares a person's biometric samples (fingerprint, face, voice) with reference data stored in the system. A key element of biometric verification is liveness detection, which prevents the use of photos, masks, voice recordings or dummies to deceive the system.

Modern liveness detection systems use various methods: eye movement analysis, pulse checking, skin texture analysis, multispectral scanning. For example, when recognizing a face, the camera may ask the user to blink or turn their head to make sure that there is a live person in front of it, not a photo.

Multispectral cameras are used for highly reliable verification; they scan the face in several light ranges (visible, infrared, ultraviolet), which allows detecting fakes made from materials with different spectral characteristics.

The Biomark product provides comprehensive solutions for biometric verification, including liveness detectors and anti-forgery protection. CIPF tools and VPN are used to protect transmitted data during verification, which guarantees the confidentiality of biometric data during transmission. Read more about approaches in the technologies section.