Microsoft Entra ID Next Level Security with Face Check

Key insights

• Microsoft Entra ID is enhanced with the Face Check feature, which significantly advances digital identity verification by using AI-powered facial recognition for secure and efficient user validation.


• Face Check with Microsoft Entra Verified ID uses a consent-based method to compare real-time selfies with government-issued IDs, ensuring high accuracy and security through Azure AI services.


• The technology offers several advantages:
  • Enhanced Security: Protects against impersonation attacks by verifying the rightful owner.
  • Privacy Protection: Shares only match results, safeguarding sensitive data.
  • Flexibility and Scalability: Easily integrates into various processes like onboarding and recovery.
  • Customizable Thresholds: Allows organizations to set confidence score thresholds for verification.


• The basic process involves users taking a selfie compared to their verified ID photo using AI algorithms, including liveness checks to prevent static image or deepfake use. Setup can be done via Microsoft Entra Admin Center or Azure Resource Manager APIs.


• The new approach features:
  • AI-Powered Verification: Offers high accuracy against sophisticated techniques.
  • Real-Time Verification: Provides instant and secure identity validation.
  • Open Standards and Customization: Supports custom API development for diverse integrations without compromising privacy.


• Pricing and Availability: Face Check is available as a standalone service or part of the

  Introduction to Microsoft Entra ID with Face Check

  Microsoft Entra ID, now enhanced with the innovative Face Check feature, marks a significant leap forward in digital identity verification. This cutting-edge technology is designed to provide organizations with a secure and efficient method for validating user identities. It is particularly beneficial in scenarios where high assurance is required, such as new employee onboarding, step-up authentication, and account recovery. The latest episode of Microsoft Mechanics, featuring Jeremy Chapman, Director of Microsoft 365, delves into this groundbreaking feature.

  What is This Technology About?

  **Face Check with Microsoft Entra Verified ID** is a consent-based identity verification method that leverages AI-powered facial matching. It compares a user's real-time selfie with the photo on their government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver's license. This comparison is performed using Azure AI services, ensuring a high level of accuracy and security. The technology is part of Microsoft Entra Verified ID, a managed verifiable credential service. This service enables organizations to create customized identity solutions while maintaining user privacy.

  Advantages of Using This Technology

  The advantages of using Face Check with Microsoft Entra ID are numerous and noteworthy:
  • Enhanced Security: It protects against remote impersonation attacks and deepfake impersonation threats by ensuring that only the rightful owner can access digital accounts.
  • Privacy Protection: The technology shares only the match results, not sensitive identity data, thus safeguarding user privacy.
  • Flexibility and Scalability: Face Check can be integrated into various organizational processes, such as onboarding and account recovery, making it a versatile tool for enterprises.
  • Customizable Thresholds: Organizations can set their preferred confidence score thresholds for accepting a Face Check verification, allowing them to balance security with user convenience.

  Basics of the Technology

  Understanding the basics of how Face Check operates is essential for grasping its full potential:
  • How It Works: Users take a selfie, which is compared to the photo on their verified ID using AI algorithms. The process includes liveness checks to ensure the selfie is not a static image or deepfake.
  • Setup and Integration: Face Check can be enabled through the Microsoft Entra Admin Center or via Azure Resource Manager APIs. It integrates well with existing Microsoft services and can be customized for specific organizational needs.
  • Pricing and Availability: Face Check is available as a standalone service or as part of the Microsoft Entra Suite, priced at $0.25 per verification.

  What is New About This Approach?

  The new approach with Face Check introduces several innovative aspects that set it apart:
  • AI-Powered Verification: The use of advanced AI algorithms to analyze facial features provides a high level of accuracy and security against sophisticated impersonation techniques.
  • Real-Time Verification: Face Check performs real-time biometric verification, ensuring that identities are validated instantly and securely.
  • Open Standards and Customization: Built on open standards, Face Check allows organizations to develop custom APIs and integrate it with various automated tasks, enhancing its utility beyond security.
  • Privacy-Respecting Design: Unlike other biometric solutions, Face Check does not store or share sensitive biometric data, maintaining user privacy while ensuring security.
  Overall, Microsoft Entra ID with Face Check represents a significant step forward in identity verification. It offers a robust, scalable, and privacy-respecting solution for enterprises seeking to enhance their security posture. As organizations continue to prioritize secure and efficient identity verification methods, technologies like Face Check will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital security.

  

  Keywords

  Microsoft Entra ID, Next Level Security, Face Check, Identity Management, Cybersecurity Solutions, Biometric Authentication, Secure Access Control, Microsoft Security Features