For over 12 months now GB has been discussing how we might further validate passports and information via information sourced directly from the Passport Authorities for each country.  Whilst progress is being made a number of customers asked GB to test and validate the potential use of Authentication Scanners for passports and other documents as part of a more robust ‘document checking’ facility.

We tested over a dozen units from manufacturers across Europe and North America along with the authentication software that needs to accompany these readers, these are the type of readers you see in airport security at numerous airports worldwide.  We have been able to build these readers into the robust domestic  and International checks driven by our own ID3 technology and is used in over 4000 locations alone in the UK to validate original documents.

The principle of Passport Authentication Readers is that when data is thin, the document can be checked, and in airports this clearly to a greater extent works well.  However in airports the time taken eyeballing the document provider and understanding it is not a clever forgery is paramount.  The security guards are provided with a high level of training in person to document eyeballing and psychological assessment of the ‘traveller’ in front of them.

This level of training requirement can be prohibitive outside the high security environment of an airport, combined with the physical need for scanners and their cost can be a blocker to their deployment.

GB also found that where identity theft had been perpetrated through document theft the scanners alone were more likely to help the fraud than detect it by falsely increasing the level of confidence attributed to that application.

So after 12 months of testing is GB launching this service commercially?  The answer is yes we are providing authentication scanners as part of our technology solution.  However we caution carefully where this is appropriate and where it could be a liability.  Our professional services team will consult with each customer as to when it could be a useful tool and when it would weaken the process.

GB continues to innovate through our customers help and participation, if you would like to find out how GB could help your business or you have an idea that you feel could help your organisation better understand the identity of your customers click on the link below and we will get in touch. 

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