Tag: SNA

Top Types of Silent Network Authentication to Consider

Silent Network Authentication (SNA) is a verification method that makes use of telecom network data to authenticate users passively without active involvement on their part. It uses information like SIM card details, device attributes, network signals and IP addresses to verify that the session or connection to a network or service is legitimate and associated with the authorized user in real time.

This is a major game-changer for anyone looking to secure systems without bogging down users with extra steps – it’s secure, seamless and convenient for the user. When combined with the ideal reverse phone number lookup api to enhance customer data so you can recognise your customers better, it will be easier than ever before to secure systems across your entire organisation.

That said, what types of Silent Network Authentication should you consider?

 

1. Behavioral Biometrics 

People have different mannerisms in how they use their phones. Behavioural biometrics focuses on analyzing these unique interactions. Unlike traditional methods like OTP SMS verification, behavioural biometrics continuously monitors user mannerisms such as mouse movements, typing speed and touchscreen gestures to confirm the user’s identity without disrupting their experience. This approach typically monitors the following factors:

  • Typing patterns: Speed, rhythm and pressure
  • Mouse movements
  • Touchscreen gestures: Swipe paths, taps and multi-touch interactions 
  • Voice patterns: Tone, pitch
  • App usage habits: Navigation paths, app usage and switching frequency 

It’s low friction and tough for fraudsters to mimic: a solid pick if you’re concerned about user experience.

 

2. Device-Based Authentication

In this case, the smartphone or tablet is not just a tool: it’s a key. This type of SNA uses the user’s device’s unique features to verify their identity, which is quite effective since most people don’t share personal devices. By analyzing the following unique characteristics of the user’s device, you can grant secure access without requiring extra steps such as entering passwords:

  • Device fingerprinting.
  • Persistent identifiers: Unchangeable hardware IDs like IMEI number and MAC address. 
  • Trusted Platform Modules (TPM).
  • Device health and configuration: OS version, app updates and security settings.
  • Contextual information: Geolocation, usage patterns and network type.

 

3. Location-Based Authentication 

This method uses the user’s or device’s physical location to verify their identity. This ensures that users are accessing systems from approved locations – it raises a suspicious activity alert when someone tries to gain access from an ‘unusual’ place by monitoring:

  • GPS
  • Wi-Fi positioning 
  • Cell tower triangulation
  • IP geolocation: Uses a device’s IP address
  • Location context: Flags unusual or unauthorized access based on the physical location of the user.

 

4. Risk-Based Authentication 

This is like having a TSA officer who selects users for extra security checks based on various factors. This SNA method adjusts the security measures based on the risk level of each authentication attempt by utilising:

  • Risk factors: User location, device health, transaction details and network information. 
  • Risk engine: Assigns risk scores to each factor and calculates the overall risk level.
  • Adaptive authentication: Modifies security requirements, such as imposing multi-factor authentication based on the calculated risk level.
  • User behaviour profiling: Monitors and updates the normal behaviour patterns of a user to detect deviations that may signal unauthorized access or fraud
  • Policy engine: Determines the applicable security policies for the different levels of risk, setting triggers for extra security measures and handling exceptions.

It maintains a good balance between keeping systems secure and providing a pleasant user experience. If everything lines up with the user’s ‘norm’, they let them in silently. It will require more proof of identity if that isn’t the case.

 

5. Token-based Authentication 

This method verifies users without requiring constant login details. It’s widely used in web and mobile apps due to its flexibility, security and ease of use. It employs secure token generation (cryptography), storage, transmission, validation, expiration and revocation.

6. Biometric Authentication 

This method verifies users’ identities by analyzing their unique biological features – making the process easy, secure and user-friendly. This type of SNA is gaining popularity in business and personal applications. In some cases, you may have to combine various biometric traits, such as facial and voice recognition, to improve security and accuracy.

 

7. User-Centric Security 

Silent Network Authentication is your shortcut to security that doesn’t compromise on user experience and convenience. The right type of SNA comes down to your needs and security requirements.

 

Enhance Your Business’s Security

Authentication is a crucial security measure, but you have to consider its impact on the customer experience for the best results. A smooth user journey will not only increase the uptake of your security measures (where these may be optional) but also enhance the overall convenience when customers interact with your business.

While this may not seem all that important, it’s also crucial to ensure you have accurate customer data in your databases for easier authentication. Trestle makes that possible with a range of data validation, verification, and enrichment APIs. Visit trestleiq.com today to learn more.

Google.org announces next phase of grant funding to support local employment opportunities in Dublin

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD announced funding support of €300,000 by Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, to fund nonprofits supporting local employment opportunities through the Local Employment Task Force.

Launched in 2021 with support from Google, the Employment Task Force aims to find sustainable employment solutions for long-term unemployed people from the south inner city and provide training and development opportunities. This latest grants by Google.org will fund skills programmes by two nonprofits in the local area:

 

  1. The Anchorage Project – a community-based training programme in the Ringsend and Irishtown area. The new skills based training will support 70 students to obtain an ITEC certified level qualification and  soft skills to enable them to gain sustainable employment in the beauty and hospitality skills industry.

  2. The Irish Nautical Trust – Google.org will continue its support of this hugely successful scholarship programme for students to access marine skills and technology. Launched in October 2021, this community-based environment maritime training programme educates local unemployed people and school leavers on the environment. Of 30 recent graduates, 28 have gained employment with ongoing support being provided to the remaining two. The funding supports access for students to obtain a certified level of maritime skills and enable them to gain sustainable employment in the marine industry.

At the event, Minister Donnelly also presented graduation certificates to 10 parents of children with special needs. Each recipient completed Google’s inaugural Special Needs Assistants scholarship programme. A further 10 scholarships were announced by Google covering the Docklands community.

Welcoming Google.org’s funding support to the Anchorage Project and the Irish Nautical Trust, Minister Donnelly said: “The employment opportunities both these programmes provide to the students will play a key role in not only their own futures but that of the wider community. While the State has a role to play, I would call on industry to join companies like Google and enhance their efforts to increase community employment. I have been informed that the majority of previous recipients of the Irish Nautical Trust Marine Skills & Technology scholarship programme secured employment and I look forward to hearing how all scholarship recipients fare in the months ahead”.

He added, “I would also like to sincerely congratulate today’s SNA certificate recipients and commend them on their passion and commitment to facilitating inclusive education in our community.  SNAs play an invaluable role in supporting the education and well-being of students with additional needs in schools and these parents commitment to not just the education of their own children but those of the wider community is especially commendable”

David Sneddon, VP, Google Ireland, said, “Today is about recognising the importance of having access to training in your community. I would like to specifically congratulate those who graduated. All those who received a certificate today are mothers of children with additional needs who are passionate about their wider community. We are also delighted to continue our support of the Irish Nautical Trust, an integral member of our Employment Task Force, and we look forward to developing our relationship with the Anchorage project. Google Ireland remains committed to supporting our local community and addressing their needs in partnership with the community.”

Jimmy Murray, Irish Nautical Trust, said, “The Irish Nautical Trust’s mission is to create a marine training apprenticeship programme to train and certify young people in maritime skills to allow them to secure and maintain long term sustainable employment. However, our work is only possible through support from the government and organisations committed to continuing the nautical skills tradition in Dublin. We are thrilled that this grant from Google.org will support a further 30 graduates through the training scheme”.

Last evening’s event was to present certificates to the first 10 parents of children with special needs who completed the Special Needs Assistants (SNA) qualification with support from Google. This programme was established by Google’s Education Taskforce, a group consisting of the seven local schools in the area, who identified the need for SNA support. At the same time the local Neurodiversity network in the community made up of over 60 families from Irishtown, Ringsend and Pearse Street (NIRP) approached Google seeking training support in the field of SNA and digital support.

Google supported 10 scholarships for the NIRP group. 10 parents successfully achieved level 5 and 6 qualifications in the field of SNA. They carried out their work experience in the local schools supported by the Education Task Force. Following the initial success of the programme, Google has now announced its intention to fund a further 10 scholarships in the Docklands community.