Ensuring identity-proofing works for all populations

The increasing need to deliver public services quickly, accurately and securely has federal, state and local government agencies turning to more modern and scalable platforms to manage identity verification. At the same time, government agencies must ensure those efforts work successfully for all populations, said technology experts in a new FedScoop video interview.

At the General Services Administration, Login.gov was created in response to the need for a shared identity management service across federal agencies, according to Dan Lopez, GSA’s director for the website service. He explained that the platform provides authentication and identity verification services to more than 40 agencies and currently serves more than 80 million user accounts.

In addition to streamlining access to various government services, he noted that agencies must also ensure accessibility and security for all populations, particularly those with disabilities or digital challenges.

“So as a government service, we have an imperative to serve all members of the public. And to do so while respecting their privacy, mitigating fraud, and preserving the integrity of government systems. This can be tricky because reaching the full American public with benefits and services is costly and time-intensive, given the vast disparity and access to facilities, technologies, and support. Yet, even as we’re continually working on ways to increase access by reducing the friction involved, we have to do this without compromising on anti-fraud, security, or compliance fraud,” said Lopez.

Jordan Burris, vice president of public sector strategy at Socure, acknowledged those challenges and emphasized the need for adaptable solutions, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach and focusing on the most underserved demographics.

“To keep up in this area, it has to be rapid. You have to be constantly harnessing the latest and greatest in technology, which could be artificial intelligence, machine learning, or different tools—but techniques to stay ahead and solve systemic gaps,” said Burris.

Both Lopez and Burris shared success stories from different states. With the Department of Labor and the State of Hawaii, Login.gov facilitated swift and secure access to unemployment insurance benefits during the Maui wildfires. Socure streamlined access to emergency disaster relief loans in Florida, ensuring quick outcomes for over 95% of applicants.

They also shared recommendations for organizations looking to create a seamless, secure, and inclusive identity management experience for all citizens engaging with government services online—which play a pivotal role in shaping the future of identity verification in the public sector as the digital landscape continues to evolve.

Learn more about boosting identity verification and fraud detection.

This video interview was produced by Scoop News Group for FedScoop and underwritten by Socure.