Dominic O'Dierno

Biometric Authentication Trends

Biometric authentication encompasses technologies and practices for measuring and analyzing an individual’s unique physical and behavioral characteristics. Although it’s a long-established practice, adoption remained relatively low until recently. Today, however, with the proliferation of the Internet and digital devices, many organizations are increasingly favoring biometric authentication, resulting in even more advanced technologies.

Among the latest trends in biometric authentication is the incorporation of AI and machine learning. One of the biggest challenges of biometrics is inaccuracy. This is changing, thanks to AI.

Now, machines can learn from individual data, reducing false positives and negatives. That means AI-powered biometric authentication machines will be able to keep up with an individual’s age-related physiological changes. Biometric systems will become smarter, faster, and more responsive.

Until recently, banks and other institutions relied on one or two biometric authentication methods. More are being used today, thanks to multimodal biometric systems. As cyber attackers and other digital criminal actors adopt advanced tools, institutions must keep up by combining various authentication protocols, such as facial and voice recognition and fingerprints.

Multimodal systems will soon become the norm in high-security areas. Spoofing is one of the most common ways that attackers use to gain access to a restricted area, posing as a trusted user. With multi-modal biometric authentication, a photo won’t be enough to pass through security. Incorporating real-time verification and liveness detection will significantly limit identity fraud.

Many companies treat identity proofing as a one-off affair. An employee, for example, may go through identity proofing during onboarding, receive access controls, such as passwords, and it ends there. That’s changing, thanks to continuous authentication.

Continuous authentication enhances know your employee (KYE), ensuring an organization continuously verifies a user’s identity, not just at the point of entry. This trend is proving useful in sensitive environments, where even a brief unauthorized access can have far-reaching implications. For example, some systems periodically take a photo of the user, screenshot their screen, and monitor typing patterns and location to ensure they remain the authenticated user throughout the session.

Remote work is becoming the norm in many organizations. One of the technologies making that possible is touchless biometrics. Tools such as facial recognition and iris screening allow organizations to accurately and reliably identity-proof candidates and employees. Hands-free biometrics are also useful in environments where hygiene or speed is key, such as airports and hospitals.

A key aspect of biometrics, and one that many traditional systems neglect, is behavioral characteristics. Behavioral biometrics changes that. It identifies individuals based on their unique behavioral traits.

Behavioral biometrics analyzes physical features, such as posture and walking style. It may also include capturing and analyzing emotional responses. Because it can detect out-of-character actions, it may catch forced authentication, for example, when an individual is made to e-sign a document.

Even with advances in biometric tools and approaches, the risk of data breach remains due to centralized data storage and processing. Edge computing and blockchain-based authentication promise to reduce data exposure through device-based authentication.

In addition to limiting the risk of data breach, edge-enabled authentication reduces latency. Blockchain-enabled authentication uses unalterable private keys to verify the authenticity of devices, individuals, and transactions, thus preventing identity theft and fraud.

Even as biometric uptake increases, access remains a challenge for small businesses. Meanwhile, questions around data privacy and user security linger. The potential misuse of biometrics for unauthorized surveillance raises weighty ethical and moral concerns. Clear governance, coupled with user-centric privacy-first identity management, is key to pushing the boundaries of biometrics while minimizing friction.

An Overview of Identity Fraud

Identity fraud is the use of a stolen identity in criminal activity. Identity theft, while not a crime until the perpetrator uses the stolen information, is the precursor to fraud.

Perpetrators can physically or digitally steal your personal information. Physical methods include stealing your wallet or purse to access your personally identifiable information (PII). They may also go through your mailbox or trash to retrieve important information.

Digital identity theft techniques include skimming, where perpetrators tamper with ATMs or card readers. They may also steal information over unsecured public Wi-Fi or by tricking you into clicking links. Others use online surveys and puzzles to extract personal information.

From there, they either use your data to commit fraud or sell it. They may purchase things using your card details, get new credit cards using your name, or open a utility bill account in your name. Some even use the personal information to get a job or medical care, especially if the victim is deceased or incarcerated.

Telltale signs of identity fraud include financial transactions you did not make. Another common sign is notifications of successful or denied credit card applications you haven’t applied for. You may also notice that mail has stopped coming or is missing from your mailbox, because someone may have stolen it or altered your mailing address.

The first step to prevent identity fraud is to protect yourself against identity theft. Do not share personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit or debit card numbers, or date of birth. Moreover, regularly review credit card and bank account statements and track and review your bills. Request and review your credit card reports.

At home, leave no mail unattended by emptying your mailbox and placing a hold on your mail when away, or having someone collect your mail. Keep ID cards and other documents bearing PII in a secure place, and dispose of documents with personal identification safely by shredding them.

When out shopping, carry only the cards you’ll need, and always ensure the card you receive from the cashier is indeed yours. When entering a PIN, cover the keypad. Also, avoid shopping on unsecured public Wi-Fi, and never click on an unknown link, especially those that promise rewards, gifts, and exclusive benefits.

Online or on your digital devices, change passwords often and make them hard to guess. Also, review your devices’ privacy settings regularly and avoid posting personal information on social media or platforms. Wipe clean your devices before disposing of them. When filling out personal information on a website, ensure there’s a lock symbol near the address bar, or that the address begins with “https.”

You may also sign up for credit monitoring services. They will notify you when a company checks your credit history, when a new loan or credit card appears on your credit reports, when your credit limit changes, and other credit-related information. Another option is to work with an identity monitoring service. They will notify you of a change of address request, court or arrest record, new utility application, or other changes.

If you suspect your ID has been stolen, notify local police and your bank. If someone is impersonating you online, notify the platform. Also consider enlisting identity recovery services. They might help you fix resultant damages by writing to your creditors and debt collectors, or freezing your credit report.

You may also consider identity theft insurance. While it may not compensate you for the money stolen, it may reimburse you for expenses incurred reclaiming your identity.

Although identity fraudsters do it for the money, for the victims, the implications reach beyond mere financial loss. It leaves one vulnerable and feeling violated. Beyond what individuals can do to limit exposure, organizations must be proactive in safeguarding client data.

Privacy-First Identity Management

Identity management protects individuals and organizations by preventing identity fraud and protecting against data breaches and theft. A privacy-first identity management prioritizes user safety and security.

Pro-privacy identity management fosters trust, which increases adoption. It also enhances regulatory compliance and reduces legal liabilities by minimizing risk, penalties, and reputational damage.

One of the biggest challenges in identity management is the risk of data breaches. Vast amounts of data in a centralized location are desirable targets for cyberattacks. A simple breach can expose the data of millions of individuals. Attackers may steal personal identification data and sell it to others.

Many companies are steering away from centralized data storage and adopting decentralized solutions. Tamper-proof verifiable credentials (VCs) have proven immensely useful for decentralizing identity management. VCs enable individuals to store their credentials in secure digital wallets, which a company can verify on demand, thereby eliminating the unnecessary collection and storage of sensitive personal identifiers.

Another challenge in identity management is the lack of user control over personal data. Traditionally, users had little control over how companies used their personal information. In the centralized approach, users cannot revoke access to data once they have submitted it. With self-sovereign identity and user control, users determine how long companies have access to their data.

Selective disclosure minimizes exposure by allowing users to share only the credentials necessary for a particular purpose. With blockchain-based age verification methods, users no longer need to submit a full passport for age verification. They can prove it cryptographically with data stored in blockchain after an initial identity check by an authorized authority.

While blockchain-stored data is accessible to all computers in the network, only users with the correct encryption can access it. Blockchain uses zero-knowledge proofs that enable users to prove they are, for example, over 18 years old, without requiring them to submit documentation.

Another blockchain-based approach to privacy-first identity management is tokenization, which replaces sensitive data with non-sensitive values. Companies can store the non-sensitive substitutes as tokens, which digitally represent the actual data.

A token can replace a Social Security number (SSN) or credit card number in a bank’s database. When a user adds their SSN to a website form, the website sends it to a tokenization service that generates a token the website can use as a substitute for the SSN.

Data anonymization eliminates or reduces the connection between a user and their stored data by erasing or encrypting sensitive information. To ensure attackers cannot undo the anonymization, companies may randomize data, which eliminates patterns that attackers might use to uncover users. Data masking replaces real data with fake values in an irreversible format.

Companies encounter several barriers in implementing privacy-first solutions. User awareness of the various technologies remains low. Also, many of the new technologies and tools may not be compatible with existing systems. Using APIs, which serve as links between software and systems, may help improve interoperability. Regulatory uncertainty surrounding blockchain-based technology exists due to varying sets of laws across different jurisdictions.

Not all companies have the resources to run blockchain-based systems in-house. However, blockchain is not the only way to ensure privacy-first identity management. Simply observing data protection laws, for example, by not requiring users to submit unnecessary information, instills confidence, as does ensuring that users understand and consent to how the company will use their data.

How to Fund Your Startup – A Beginner’s Guide

Dominic O’Dierno studied finance and marketing at the University of Oregon, graduating with a bachelor of science in 1989. Since 2012, Dominic O’Dierno became the CEO of Amare LLC, a consulting firm that advises customers on early-stage business, financing, funding strategy, investor relations, and senior executive-level strategic guidance.

If you’re embarking on the exciting journey of launching a startup, understanding how to fund your business is crucial. Your choices here will shape your venture’s foundation and trajectory. The process of funding a startup involves several key considerations and strategies.

Firstly, assessing your financial needs is paramount. Each business is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your financial situation and business vision will be pivotal in determining the funding requirements. Once you’ve quantified the necessary startup funding, explore different avenues.

Understanding the stages of startup funding is crucial. The process evolves alongside your business’s growth, beginning with bootstrapping and potentially involving seed rounds, Series A, Series B, and beyond.

Self-funding, often called bootstrapping, entails utilizing your financial resources to back your venture. This might involve dipping into personal savings, leveraging family and friends’ support, or utilizing retirement accounts. While maintaining complete control, self-funding does carry inherent risks, demanding careful financial planning to avoid overextending.

Another approach is seeking investment from venture capitalists. These investors provide funds in exchange for equity ownership and an active role in your company. While venture capital can accelerate growth, it involves ceding some control and ownership. Securing venture capital generally follows steps like identifying potential investors, sharing your business plan, undergoing due diligence, and agreeing on terms.

Crowdfunding is yet another avenue. It involves gathering funds from a broad range of individuals, who typically receive special perks or products as a token of appreciation. Crowdfunding is particularly popular for creative projects or physical products and can harness the power of a supportive community.

Q5id Launches Co-Headquarters in Austin and Bellevue

Dominic O’Dierno is an accomplished senior business executive with over three decades of professional experience. A finance and marketing alumnus from the University of Oregon, Dominic ODierno has served in various capacities throughout his career, including establishing multiple companies. Dominic O’Dierno serves as an executive vice president of Q5id.

A leading cybersecurity software company specializing in designing world-class innovative identity management solutions, Q5id, announced the opening of new co-headquarters in Austin, Texas and Bellevue, Washington. The move is expected to position Q5id for rapid business growth strategically. According to Michael F. Marcotte, Q5id president of the board of directors and chief executive officer, the decision to have a presence in Austin and Bellevue was because the two cities are enterprise business technology economies and infrastructure hubs with thriving engineering talent.

In addition, the two locations have strategically viable relationships as they are home to key business partners and have conducive tax and business environments. According to Todd Bryant, vice president of Engineering, Q5id employs the best engineering talent worldwide to help the company realize its dream of deploying transformative enterprise technology solutions. The move is vital for the firm, which seeks to remain at the forefront of maintaining cybersecurity excellence where digital identities are safeguarded from compromise.

Synthetic Identity Fraud Prevention Tips

A finance and marketing graduate from the University of Oregon, Dominic O’Dierno has quickly advanced at Q5id firm, moving from chief of staff to senior VP and now executive vice president. At Q5id, Dominic O’Dierno and his team offer identity management services and solutions to streamline cybersecurity safety. For instance, the firm helps banks prevent synthetic identity fraud.

Synthetic fraud is an advanced identity theft where a perpetrator combines stolen personal information with fabricated details to forge an identity resembling the victim’s, which they then use to commit fraud. The availability of sophisticated tools that facilitate the creation of fake profiles and the dedication of criminals in planning these attacks has made monitoring and detecting synthetic fraud challenging.

To prevent synthetic fraud, organizations should monitor customer activities for unusual behaviors. Banks, for instance, should be alert to instances where a new account exhibits high transaction volume or when a customer who typically doesn’t apply for loans suddenly applies for multiple loans. These activities can indicate ongoing fraud. In such cases, banks should investigate further to verify the legitimacy of the transactions and identity involved.

Implementing biometric authentication, such as fingerprint scanners or a face ID scan, for transaction authorization can also deter synthetic fraud. A multi-biometrics system with liveness testing, ensuring the individual is alive and active, can further prevent automated tools and bots in fraudulent transactions.

Two Common Methods of Identity Proofing

An alumnus of the University of Oregon, Dominic O’Dierno is the CEO of Amare LCC, a consulting firm. In addition, Dominic O’Dierno works as a senior consultant at Q5id, an identity enrollment and authentication company.

One of the key components of authenticating an identity is proofing, the process of confirming a person is who they claim to be before allowing them access to particular software or databases. There are various methods used to achieve identity proofing. One is Knowledge Based Authentication (KBA).

KBA requires an individual to give answers to security questions based on personal information set by them. They often include questions like “What is the name of your first pet?”. The advantage of the KBA method is that it is user-friendly, but its biggest drawback is it is easy for a hacker to get answers to the questions. Also, users tend to forget the answers to their questions.

Another method of identity proofing is two-factor authentication. It is a stronger method than KBA because it mandates that users must give a form of personal identity, often known as a token, in addition to their standard username and password before accessing an account. Usually, the token would be sent to the users on request, and users would be encouraged to take a picture or write it down.

About Deepfake Technology and Cybersecurity Hazards

A cum laude graduate from the University of Oregon, Dominic O’Dierno is a financial executive who leads Amare. Through the firm, he serves as a consultant to start-up companies, advising them on financing, investor relations, and strategic plan development. Dominic O’Dierno concurrently serves as a senior advisor to Q5id, the developer of a patented biometric enrollment and authentication platform that offers everyone reliable and secure digital IDs.

Deepfake technology is a salient identity misrepresentation technology used for entertainment. Deepfake uses AI to generate images, videos, and audio snippets that mimic individuals, although the person does not participate in its creation. Instead, deepfake technology incorporates features unique to the subjects into the media to render them, including facial characteristics and voice.

A famous example of a deepfake application is the late NBA player Kobe Bryant’s cameo in the artist Kendrick Lamar’s music video “The Heart Part 5.” Technology morphed Lamar’s face into Bryant’s. Many fans watched the video within a few days after its release.

The Heart Part 5 pays homage to the late athlete. However, deepfake technology can mimic anyone to commit fraudulent acts like online identity and cyber attacks. Cybersecurity providers, like Q5id, offer tools that can protect entities from deepfake fraud.

Guardian, a Q5id App to Help Find the Missing

With experience in diverse executive leadership positions, Dominic O’Dierno is the CEO of Amare, a consulting firm in Portland, Oregon. Dominic O’Dierno is also a senior consultant at Q5id, which developed Guardian, an app that expedites finding missing persons.

Guardian differs significantly from Q5Id’s other products because paid offerings like Know Your Employee (KYE) utilize biometrics to obtain identity verification, which complements traditional background checks. In contrast, Guardian is free and relies on a crowdsourcing methodology to operate, consisting of profiles of users’, called volunteers by the company, and loved ones.

Unlike traditional missing person descriptions from news outlets and police agencies, Q5id emphasizes that volunteers should include unique physical attributes and personality traits. When someone goes missing, everyone who has downloaded Guardian in that person’s geographic region receives a notification, so recipients can pool their knowledge to find a missing person. This process is faster for gathering information than interviewing individuals who last saw the person.

Missing Children Education and Hotline

Black boy leaning against wall, scared of bully students, racial discrimination Black boy leaning against wall, scared of bully students, racial discrimination exploited children stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

A graduate of the University of Oregon, Dominic O’Dierno is the CEO of Amare in Portland. At the firm, Dominic O’Dierno provides financial services and counseling. He is also engaged in philanthropic activities and promotes and supports nonprofit organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is an organization that aims to help parents find missing children as well as prevent all forms of child exploitation or abuse. The organization provides people with a 24/7 hotline where they can report information about their missing child such as location, name, and other relevant information that can help the authorities in the search. It then sends this data to all other organizations that have the goal of finding missing children so that there are as many people and communities working together as possible.

It also provides technical assistance and training to parents and communities about how to identify child exploitation and how to prevent it. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also develops programs in schools and institutions that can help children in areas such as cyberbullying and Internet safety, as well as child abuse prevention.