Digital authentication is here to stay

Photo courtesy Unsplash

Two years ago, the coronavirus pandemic began (something that most media are included to describe as “unprecedented” despite the widely discussed risks of zoonotic infections). Whatever the warnings, the impact on the business world was significant and required a technological leap forward.

The impact on the business sector has been to shut down. Additionally, the way companies have undertaken to conduct their day-to-day processes has changed to better accommodate and protect both businesses and consumers.

Central to this change was the advent of digital authentication technology. Digital authentication is the process of verifying that users or devices are who or what they claim to be in order to allow access to sensitive applications, data and services. There are several ways to verify electronic authenticity.

Examples include:

• Unique passwords.
• Pre-Shared Key (PSK).
• Biometric authentication.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Behavioral authentication.
• Device recognition.

According to Jesse Franklin SVP of US & Canada Incode, the use of new technologies has strengthened business momentum for a situation that should exist beyond the pandemic.

Franklin tells Digital diary: “In this contactless environment caused by the pandemic, digital authentication is no longer a luxury – it is now an essential part of everyday life.”

As examples, Franklin cites: “Over the past two years, we have learned to rely on digital authentication and verification of their identity online, instead of insecure physical forms of identification such as driving licenses and passports.

Moreover, says Franklin, the use of new technologies has benefited most of society: “Consumers benefit from the efficiency and peace of mind that digital identity verification provides because it is integrated to an increasing number of day-to-day processes previously done in person.”

This trajectory is set to continue and Franklin predicts, “By 2030, I predict that physical forms of identification will be obsolete, with all, if not most, businesses having some form of digital authentication in place.”