752122Identity ChecksClosedVouchersInnovate UKIn this computer-driven era, identity theft and the loss or disclosure of data and related intellectual property are growing problems. We each have multiple accounts and use multiple passwords on an ever-increasing number of computers and Web sites. Maintaining and managing access while protecting both the user's identity and the computer's data and systems has become increasingly difficult. Central to all security is the concept of authentication - verifying that the user is who he/she claims to be. We can authenticate an identity in three ways: something the user knows (PIN); something the user has (security fob); something the user is (physical characteristics, biometric). Clearly none of these methods alone is reducing identity fraud. All three authentication mechanisms have drawbacks, so security experts routinely recommend using two separate mechanisms, a process called two-factor authentication. But implementing two-factor authentication requires expensive hardware and infrastructure changes. Therefore, security has most often been left to just a single authentication method. Across UK and the rest of the world security is in focus. A Fraud Prevention study showed that more than 59,000 identity frauds were recorded in the UK during 9 months of 2009, a 36% increase from 2008. Every time a person opens a bank account their information is captured by the credit agencies, and then checked to confirm a person’s name, address etc. Historically background checking has been largely manual and time-consuming. Clearly none of the current methods used are reducing identity fraud. Onfido is a private London-based technology firm with the aim of disrupting the background checking industry. Our team of dedicated engineers, software developers, designers, product specialists and customer service professionals work tirelessly to revolutionise the way companies carry out background checks. We are aiming to not just combine identity and document checks, implementing two-factor authentication, but to do it in a novel real time manner to improve on any personal or corporate security.