Telesign launches integrated API to combine traditional identity verification channels

Telesign, a customer identity and engagement solutions provider, has integrated multiple user verification channels into a unified, silent verification offering, Verify API, to help organizations defend themselves against cyberfrauds.

The “omnichannel API” will help integrate seven commonly preferred authentication channels, including SMS, Silent Verification, Push, Email, WhatsApp, Viber, and RCS (Rich Communication Services).

“In today’s digital economy, fraud is prevalent in every corner, and safeguarding end-users from potential online threats is more important than ever,” said Chris Steffen, vice president of research at Enterprise Management Associates. “Integrated solutions that deliver more protection and an enhanced user experience not only protect businesses but also foster trust among its end-users.”

Telesign uses machine learning and data science for authenticating and defending digital identities, and verifies over five billion phone numbers a month, according to the company.

Single unified API

According to the company, the new offering will allow developers to connect only to a unified API to run authentications across different channels. Once implemented, Verify API allows for the end-user to be verified on their preferred channel, without the customer having to extend development resources for multiple channels.

Additionally, the offering features “Automatic fallbacks” to the customer’s preferred channel in case of authentication failures to ensure that the end-users receive the one-time password (OTP), no matter their original verification method or geographic location.

“With Verify API, businesses can customize the verification and authentication experience by market needs, customer preferences, or business priorities with peace of mind—and with automatic multichannel fallback,” the company said in a press release.

Verify API also allows custom routing to help customers build routing rules for tailored delivery across all channels and markets.

Arms against fraud, social engineering, and phishing

Verify API is designed to help organizations to defend against cyberfrauds looking to take advantage of weak authentication regimes and compromised devices and SIMs.

Promising built-in defense against SMS vulnerabilities, such as social engineering, phishing, and SIM-based attacks, the Verify API claims to offer a more secure end-user verification experience. The verification is done without OTPs and silently behind the scenes, according to Telesign’s website.

“Verify API equips businesses with a diverse range of authentication channels that provide a more predictable cost structure,” the company said. “This cost-effective approach not only helps in mitigating risks associated with over-reliance on any single communication channel but also ensures that businesses can maintain affordability without compromising on security.” VerifyAPI is generally available to customers and the company already has a few early signups, including AstroPay, OfferUp, Amount, and Mamba.