Digital Identities: the frauds that persist

Only 49% of companies proactively invest in cybersecurity, and 20% only take action after experiencing a serious incident. Digital identity fraud remains a significant issue, tackled with cutting-edge technology, robust protocols, and a culture of prevention.

Confronting digital identity frauds: balancing all the factors that come into play

T

he increase in the volume of cyberattacks and the refinement of techniques have made the protection of digital identities more crucial than ever. Technology must focus on preventing unauthorized access to networks and systems to safeguard sensitive information. Despite efforts, companies of all types continue to suffer significant economic losses and damage to their reputation due to frauds and attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in security programs, as indicated by the fraud map left by 2023. 

Digital identities are evolving in distinct ways due to multiple factors. The growing adoption of cloud services has brought about significant changes, allowing identities to be configured and associated more dynamically across various platforms. The proliferation of mobile devices has added another layer of complexity, with identities intertwined with multiple gadgets, each playing a unique role. Additionally, the rise of remote work has driven the need for flexible and secure digital identities that can adapt to decentralized environments. 

Effective fraud prevention involves understanding the most common techniques. Phishing remains the preferred method for cybercriminals to obtain personal data, constituting 62% of the total (IDSA). Second in line are brute force attacks, an automation technique involving mass tracking of combinations to obtain unauthorized access to accounts and systems. 

Promoting a culture of fraud prevention within companies 

Employee behaviour is often the cause of data breaches. Clicking on phishing emails and using the same passwords for work and personal accounts are two of the most common errors, despite the educational efforts of companies. 

The direct consequences of these violations are primarily four, according to the findings of the majority of surveys on the subject: 

• Costs associated with recovering from the attack. 
• Diversion of focus from high-value tasks. 
• Negative impact on reputation. 
• Loss of income. 

Avoid economic losses by contacting our fraud prevention experts now. 

Although company security teams emphasize the lack of budget or specialized personnel as obstacles to addressing fraud prevention challenges, the issue that stands out above all is the complexity of identity frameworks due to multiple providers and technological architectures. This fragmentation translates into difficulty establishing appropriate security standards, pinpointing issues, and instilling confidence in customers and users. 

Working with specialized providers like TrustCloud, operating from a single platform to provide flexible transactional configurations tailored to each profile, minimizes attackers’ options and ensures cohesive and resilient organizations. 

Investments in cybersecurity and fraud prevention remain inconsistent. Highly regulated industries, such as banks and fintechs, tend to have greater awareness of existing dangers, leading to the activation of more comprehensive controls and increased investments. 

Across sectors, in addition to financial services, insurance, healthcare, telecommunications, and public administrations are the sectors where investments in cybersecurity related to digital identity attacks are higher. 

In this regard, studies indicate a growing interest in the possibilities offered by Artificial Intelligence, passwordless authentication methods, or phishing-resistant Multifactor Authentication (MFA) systems. 

Protecting the crypto ecosystem: challenges and solutions 

Identity frauds and data breaches related to cryptocurrencies warrant special attention. This market is undergoing exponential growth, attracting both experienced and novice investors. This remarkable development has also increased instances of fraud, with the proliferation of various forms of scams. 

• Ponzi Schemes. A fraudulent investment strategy operating on an unsustainable principle, where returns for investors come not from real profits but from the capital contributed by new participants. In its execution, the scheme organizer promises investors exceptional returns, often unusually high in a short period, to attract more participants. 
• Pig Butchering Scam. Fraudsters employ tactics to build trust with their victims through social media or online dating platforms. Gradually, they persuade individuals to make cryptocurrency investments. This process can extend over months, during which scammers work meticulously to gain the victim’s trust and manipulate their behavior for their benefit. 
• Social Media Scams. With an estimated 4.8 billion social media users worldwide, this vast volume of profiles is highly attractive to fraudsters. Through false advertisements, fraudulent giveaways, and fake profiles, they aim to attract users and involve them in investments to divert their crypto funds. 

The anonymity associated with cryptocurrency transactions creates a conducive environment for the proliferation of these frauds. Awareness and education are crucial to protect participants in the cryptocurrency market against these fraudulent practices, as the decentralized nature and power distributed among its users are the cryptocurrency’s greatest strengths and values to defend. 

User verification based on a deep understanding of regulations 

Although both the crypto asset market and associated regulations are emerging areas, technology companies with established expertise in more traditional sectors such as banking, insurance, or gaming can provide compliance assurances and contribute specialized knowledge to user verification solutions. 

It is crucial to have platforms and services that streamline the onboarding process to the maximum extent and allow real-time monitoring of transactions. Additionally, the generation of comprehensive and accurate reports is essential to comply with new regulatory requirements, such as MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets). 

This approach involves the development of monitoring and detection systems for suspicious activities, as well as the establishment of mechanisms to report any illicit behavior to the relevant authorities. The coordination of services would facilitate efficient management of compliance operations, ensuring transaction security and safeguarding the confidentiality of users’ sensitive data. 

Request personalized guidance from our experts in digital transaction strategies.