On December 3, a webinar titled “The Present and Future of Mobile Security: Reputation, Security, and New Authentication Solutions” occurred. This virtual event focused on how innovations transform how we protect and verify our digital identities. Organized by Plusmo, it featured four experts in the field: Guillaume Bourcy, Partner and CIO of GTC; Damián Sánchez, International Services Manager at Telecom Argentina; Gabriel Chapt, CEO of Plusmo; and Alejandro Adamowicz, Director of Strategy and Technology at GSMA Latin America.
The topic of identity and authentication in the mobile universe is currently crucial, not only for businesses but also for users who rely on mobile solutions daily. Latin America is a global hotspot for cyberattacks, and the landscape is expected to become more challenging in the coming year. So far, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina have been the most targeted countries through mobile fraud practices.
“In the region, mobile phones are the primary connection device for people, making identity verification and fraud prevention extremely relevant. In a context where cybercriminals are using cutting-edge technology while organizations lag, companies must catch up to ensure that the user accessing the platform is truly who they claim to be and meets the required age for the services. At the same time, it’s key to strike a balance between security and user experience,” commented webinar moderator Débora Slotnisky, a technology journalist for La Nación.
Advantages of Mobile Identity
During the event, Bourcy pointed out that in recent years, the market has shown significant fragmentation in the methodologies used for managing identity and authentication. “For example, many companies still haven’t implemented two-factor authentication. There’s a significant lack of knowledge about the best approaches for businesses. That’s why we’re pushing for mobile identity centered around phone numbers and user data, and we’re optimistic about emerging developments in this area. Mobile identity offers numerous attributes that can help companies and users achieve better authentication and identification,” he emphasized.
To provide greater guarantees in user authentication, various mobile identity services have recently been launched within a standardized framework, thanks to GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative. Adamowicz explained that one of the main capabilities mobile networks can offer revolves around user identity and authentication. “The most popular or widely adopted APIs in the first phase of the Open Gateway initiative focus on this. The first is SIM Swap, which allows operators to provide information on the last time a SIM card was changed. This is crucial because when phones are stolen, criminals usually replace the SIM card, move it to another device, and attempt identity theft. Another API being launched in Latin America is Device Location, which enables real-time device tracking. Lastly, Number Verification allows validation to ensure the person conducting a mobile transaction is who they claim to be.”
Far from being a topic that only concerns telecom operators or technology integrators, these advances will also benefit organizations by “enhancing their ecosystems, improving the experiences and services they offer, and enabling the creation of much more secure applications,” Sánchez highlighted.
Usability and Age Verification
The usability of these solutions is a crucial aspect, as it’s not just about combating mobile fraud but also about “making life easier for people and simplifying user identification and onboarding,” Chapt added.
The webinar also addressed age verification, which is currently in high demand. In some countries, access restrictions have been implemented for various types of applications to ensure content appropriateness for different age groups. “In this regard, mobile identity can play a significant role by determining whether someone is over 18 or if their phone number is part of a family plan, among other factors,” Bourcy noted. “Combining biometrics with the knowledge behind phone numbers can ensure access is granted in the best way possible, as it is still largely based on assumptions today.”
The event concluded with audience questions for the experts and a collective reflection among the panelists on the importance of continuing to innovate and collaborate in mobile security. They agreed that the future of authentication and digital identity will depend not only on technological advancements but also on organizations’ ability to adopt them quickly and raise user awareness of their importance.
