Definition
Identity proofing involves verifying whether a user is who they claim to be. The technique is crucial in access control and identity management in cybersecurity and is usually used in identity and management (IAM) systems.
Examples of Identity Proofing
- Account creation: Users may be asked to provide more details to confirm their true identity when creating new accounts.
- Financial transactions: Financial institutions such as banks use identity proofing to verify the actual identity of the individual making transactions.
Pros and Cons of Identity Proofing
Pros
- Reduces fraud: By confirming user identity, identity proofing reduces the risk of fraud and identity theft.
- Improves security: Demanding more details for identity verification adds an extra layer of security. This prevents unverified users from accessing sensitive information.
Cons
- Complexity and time-consuming: The processing of verifying user identity is long and consumes a lot of time.
- Privacy concerns: Identity proofing requires gathering private data, which, if handled wrongly, could raise privacy concerns.