Is KBA secure, or more secure than an in-person notarization?
Yes.
Why is identity verification more secure in a remote online notarization (RON) than in a traditional in-person notarization?
The online notarization process enables a greater level of trust in verifying a signer’s identity because of the ability to leverage third-party identity service providers in real-time via communication technology.
In the paper world, the notary has no real-time access to third-party databases to validate a state driver’s license or national passport. Experience has shown that notaries can’t keep current on the evolving methods of counterfeiting, altering, or otherwise faking physical driver’s licenses.
The identification requirements and analysis vastly improve the paper notary process. RON has increased compliance and confirmation as well as recordation of the compliance. The remote notary process also requires signers and RON platforms to audio and video record the entire process. The platform stores the remote online notarial act recording for 10 years. This means there is a visual record in a digital vault of both forms of identification. These steps provide additional protection for all involved.
It is mandatory to record all sessions related to remote online notarization. Also, this audio-visual component ensures a higher level of identity assurance.
These third-party services, depending on the state, may include a combination of:
- Credential analysis of government-issued identity credentials
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
- Biometric comparison
- Digital certificate verification from a trusted certificate authority
Knowledge-based authentication is widely used in multi-factor authentication.
KBA is a method of authentication that proves the identity of someone accessing a service such as a website or remote online notarization platform. KBA requires the knowledge of an individual’s information to prove their identity. eNotaryLog’s platform asks questions related to previous home addresses or vehicles owned for identity verification.
A good KBA question should meet these four criteria:
- The question is appropriate for a large segment of the population
- The answer is easily remembered
- The question should have one correct answer
- The answer should not be easy enough to guess through research
KBA questions can be static or dynamic.
Static questions allow the client to select the questions they would like to answer. Data stored by the platform to verify a person’s identity determines the question-and-answer pairs for static questions. The questions can be factual, like “Where were you born?” or “How many siblings do you have?” They can also be about the person’s preferences, such as “What is your favorite color?” or “Who is your best friend?” Static questions aren’t the best KBA identifiers. Their data is easily accessible. Moreover, the answers could be guessed.
When the client is unaware of what questions will be asked, questions are dynamic. Data in public records determines the question-and-answer pairs. These questions may be similar to: “What was your address when you were 15 years old?” or “What color Toyota Tacoma was registered to you in Pennsylvania in 2021?”
For increased security and authentication, the eNotaryLog platform uses dynamic KBA questions. Someone can research KBA questions, but it takes time and effort. The signer gets a time limit to answer the questions provided. If the dynamic questions aren’t answered in time, they are treated as incorrect, and the signer has the opportunity to try again with a fresh set of questions.
eNotaryLog uses a third-party service to analyze a signer’s government-issued identity credentials.
These forms of identification include valid driver’s licenses, state identification cards, or passports. However, they are invalid if they expired. Also, clients submit a front and back photo of their government identification in advance of their RON transaction with eNotaryLog. Also, the signer shows the same identification to the notary via their computer’s camera. It confirms the signer matches the ID and is the correct signer.
A notary can overlook expiration dates and it is difficult to determine if the ID is fraudulent during the paper notarial process. However, credential analysis and KBA eliminates these issues.
To store and transmit your data securely, eNotaryLog provides industry-leading security and privacy policies.
To start the journey to a secure digital future, go to the eNotaryLog platform and click on Notarize Now or Start Your Notarization. It takes you to our notarization page where you begin the notarization process with a live notary. It is as simple as getting verified, uploading your documents, and beginning the process. Go to eNotaryLog today to simplify life’s important moments and save time to make more memories!
