Interview with Antti Harsunen: The Evolution of Digital Identity at Signicat
TL;DR
Signicat, the global leader in digital identity solutions, is shaping the future of secure authentication and identity verification in partnership with Enable Banking, experts in PSD2 and open banking APIs. In this interview with Antti Harsunen, Signicat’s Country Manager in Finland, discusses how eIDAS 2 is transforming identity verification, giving consumers more control over their personal information and enhancing security across industries. Explore the innovative solutions driving seamless digital experiences and safeguarding transactional data in an increasingly connected world.
Antti Harsunen, Country Manager for Signicat in Finland, shares insights into the company's journey as a global leader in digital identity and trust services. From onboarding to authentication and e-signing, Signicat provides comprehensive solutions across regulated industries like finance, telecom, and mobility. Their solutions align well with PSD2 regulation, ensuring seamless integration with banking APIs and compliance with PSD2 open banking standards.
Discover how the latest European regulation, eIDAS 2, will transform digital identity, empowering users with secure, mobile-based identity wallets and seamless passwordless authentication. With AI-driven fraud prevention and a strong focus on innovation, Signicat is at the forefront of the digital identity revolution.
To start, could you please introduce yourself and tell us about Signicat?
My name is Antti Harsunen, and I’m the Country Manager for Signicat in Finland. Founded in the Nordics in 2007, Signicat is a global digital identity powerhouse and EU eIDAS Trust service provider. We have expanded into 16 countries so far across Europe, and now serve customers also in Asia and the U.S., reaching a total of 250 countries worldwide. Establishing ourselves as a global leader in identity and trust services, not only in the Nordics but around the world.
At Signicat, we support companies throughout the entire digital identity lifecycle. Our comprehensive suite of solutions includes onboarding users, enriching digital identity information, and providing authentication and e-signing services. We are dedicated to managing and protecting digital identities and preventing fraud effectively for our clients.
Tell us some more about Signicat’s digital identity solution.
We provide digital identity solutions that help manage the full digital identity lifecycle. From the moment a user first interacts with a product or service, we can verify their identity using trusted methods like bank IDs or ID documents, ensuring they’re who they say they are by verifying various risk data . As a returning customer, our authentication services make sure their login is secure and simple with e.g. biometrics.
We work with 35 electronic identity methods and over 200 data verification sources across Europe, all within one platform, so it’s easier to manage identity verification without juggling multiple systems.
We also offer electronic signing services, and mobile ID services, so documents can be signed digitally. Plus, there are a range of solutions for different countries, like eTinglysning for deed registration in Norway, and MitID in Denmark.
In essence, our goal is to make digital identity management straightforward, secure, and adaptable to your needs.
Who are your main customers?
Currently, the majority of our clients come from regulated industries such as banking, insurance, and financial services, where the need for robust digital identity solutions is critical. These sectors are the backbone of our business. However, we've also seen significant growth in other industries like telecom, real estate, and mobility. As mobility ecosystems expand, the demand for secure digital and identity verification services continues to rise, and we're positioned to support that growing need.
How is new legislation changing identity verification?
The most significant upcoming change to identity verification in Europe will be the implementation of eIDAS 2. Approved in May 2024, eIDAS 2 must be implemented by all EU member states by May 2026. So, there are two years to implement the regulation. One of the key aspects of this regulation is the introduction of a digital identity wallet, which enables individuals to securely store and manage their identity attributes on their mobile phones.
For consumers, this means greater control over their personal information. For instance, you’ll be able to decide when and how to share specific identity details, like your age. A practical example of this could be age verification for renting an e-scooter. Instead of sharing a full ID, you'd simply share the necessary details, like your age, from your digital identity wallet. This shift towards more user-controlled identity verification not only enhances privacy but also makes the process more seamless and secure.
How do you see the future of identity verification?
Other than the full implementation of eIDAS 2, I see a shift towards passwordless and seamless authentication. The shift away from passwords will be facilitated by the use of different biometrics, such as eye scanning and voice recognition instead of a traditional username and password. As AI continues to advance, it will play a critical role in fraud prevention, though it also presents challenges in detecting AI-driven fraud attempts.
Of course, as with many other industries, there will be an increase in the use of AI, sometimes for the good and sometimes not. When it comes to identity verification we are increasingly seeing AI used with different kinds of fraud attempts and it is becoming more and more difficult to identify what is being done with AI, for example with facial recognition or voice recognition. So, it is important for us to stay ahead of the fraudsters.
How will these changes affect consumers?
The most noticeable change, as I’ve already mentioned, will be the increased control consumers have over their digital identities. For instance, imagine needing to prove your age for an R-rated movie where you must be 16—you could simply use your digital identity wallet to verify your age. Another example could be seamlessly accessing a building by automatically opening doors to facilities you have permission to use. These permissions would be stored securely in your digital identity wallet.
The second major impact will be the way authentication, particularly strong authentication, becomes more seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Whether it’s online shopping, in-store transactions, healthcare visits, or payments, authentication processes will be embedded into daily experiences, making them smoother and more secure.
How do Enable Banking’s account information and payment initiation infrastructure enhance Signicat’s services?
Both Enable Banking and Signicat bring a wealth of industry expertise to the table. Signicat has been at the forefront of digital identity in Europe since 2007, while Enable Banking has deep experience in PSD2 and the banking sector. Partnering with each other just feels natural. We're both customer-focused and innovative, so when our shared clients have specific needs, we collaborate to create tailor-made solutions. It’s a win-win for everyone.
We also share similar values and cultures, both being Nordic and Baltic-origin companies—so we understand each other well. With this partnership, Enable Banking’s customers can tap into Signicat’s extensive range of identity services, available globally through a one-stop shop. That’s a huge benefit. At the same time, Signicat gains the expertise of world’s best PSD2 experts, which strengthens the services we provide.
Conclusion
Signicat, a global leader in digital identity services, has expanded its reach from the Nordics to 250 countries. They offer a comprehensive suite of solutions for identity verification, fraud prevention, authentication, and e-signing. With the upcoming implementation of eIDAS 2, which introduces a digital identity wallet, consumers will gain greater control over their personal information. Partnering with Enable Banking, experts in PSD2, Signicat enhances its services, benefiting from shared expertise and innovative solutions to address evolving client needs.