Liveness Detection; Types, Methods & Advantages

Did you know that according to the FBI, Americans suffered a loss of over $12.5 billion due to online crimes in 2023 alone? With the burgeoning rise in digital interactions, it is imperative to protect ourselves from impersonation attempts. This is where liveness detection presents itself as a security technology that aims to ensure that you are not just a face on the screen but a real person on the other side.  

So what is liveness detection? Let's try to understand the concept in simple terms. 

Liveness detection is a security technology used to ensure that you are a real person and not a video or photo that is trying to impersonate another while interacting with the system. Although face liveness detection is used in facial recognition systems, there’s also a specific application for documents. This shows that there are different types of liveness detection. 

Different Types of Liveness Detection:

1. General Liveness Detection:

General liveness detection sees if a person is physically present and alive during an interaction. It asks the person to blink or move his head to ascertain if the subject is alive. So next time if the bank asks you for a specific facial expression, it is for security reasons, not for fun. 

1. 3D Liveness Detection:

3D liveness detection is more advanced than the general one. It makes a 3D model of your face to ensure the specifics of your facial structure. This makes it harder to spoof with a mask or a photograph. 

1. Document Liveness Detection:

Document liveness detection verifies the authenticity of a physical document that is being presented during remote identity verification. It aims to ensure that the document provided by the subject is not a photocopy, a printout, or a digitally induced figure. 

Working of The System

Let's see how this system typically works;

1. First, a person is asked to showcase his ID  document to the camera. 

2. Then, the system utilizes computer vision to assess the document for signs of tampering. 

3. Moreover, it may also ask the person to perform certain actions, like moving the document in a specific direction or blinking while holding it. All of these activities are to prove that you’re physically present. 

Advantages of Document Liveness Detection

After understanding the working mechanism, let's review the advantages of document liveness detection; 

1. It reduces the likeliness of theft and fraud in various sectors. 

2. It ameliorates compliance with KYC which stands for (Know Your Customer) regulations.

3. Organizations that frequently hire individuals or take on new customers can create a more secure remote onboarding process. 

4. Furthermore, it enhances the reliability of digital identity verification. 

Important Considerations

Now that we have attained a basic understanding of liveness detection for face recognition, there are certain factors that one needs to be careful about. 

• There are different types of liveness detection systems. You should be careful in choosing which one is the best for your organization as some technologies are still vulnerable to spoofing attempts than others.

• Another factor that must be taken into consideration is that the system should be user-friendly. If it overcomplicates the verification process, it's better to avoid it and go for another. 

• Though a verification system aims to secure your documents, sometimes data privacy gets jeopardized. So ensure that your choice of technology can handle the identity documents very carefully. 

Methods of Liveness Detection: Passive & Active

Let’s discuss the different methods of Liveness detection;

1. Passive liveness Detection

Passive liveness detection assesses the subject’s natural actions. For instance, blinking or movement of the head. It does not need any specific prompts during the interactions. For example, unlocking your mobile phone is a form of passive detection. The phone does not ask you to blink or move your head. 
 

1. Active Liveness Detection

Active liveness detection asks the user to perform certain actions. For instance, smiling or moving your hand to prove that the person is present and is responding. 

Both of these methods have their pros and cons. Passive livness detection is often considered more convenient considering the fact that it does not require the subject to make considerable movements. On the contrary, active liveness detection is considered more secure because of its multiple security protocols. 

One can decide to choose from either of them keeping their needs intact. However, experts proclaim that, ideally, a system that amalgamates both techniques is best for optimal security. Moreover, it also ameliorates the user experience.

 Conclusion

Liveness detection is considered a robust defense against fraudsters in a burgeoning digital world. Whether it is analyzing the subtle movements of a human face or assuring the physical presence behind a document, these methodologies add a powerful layer of security. As the world witnesses the evolution of technology, livenesses detection systems will become more efficient and effective in safeguarding the identities of people online. By understanding the different variables involved, organizations can accept a future of secure digital experiences with a lot of confidence.