Interview With Bryan Noller - Director of Sales at Argos

Shauli Zacks
Published on: June 26, 2024

In today’s digital landscape, ensuring the security and authenticity of online interactions has never been more critical. Bryan Noller, the Director of Sales at Argos, brings over a decade of experience in sales with a strong focus on compliance and digital identity verification. With a background in background screening and a keen interest in the crypto and web3 space, Bryan has positioned himself at the forefront of eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) innovations. In this SafetyDetectives interview, Bryan shares insights into Argos’ mission to provide robust identity verification solutions and the importance of Know Your Business (KYB) alongside KYC in today’s regulatory environment. He also addresses common misconceptions about identity verification and offers advice for businesses looking to enhance their verification processes. Bryan’s expertise sheds light on how Argos is helping companies navigate the complexities of digital identity and compliance.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to join ARGOS?

For over a decade, I’ve been immersed in sales, with the past six years dedicated to compliance sales. My career began in background screening, where I spent over four years helping companies ensure the integrity and reliability of their hires. After a brief break from the industry, I found my way to ARGOS Identity, drawn by the evolving landscape of digital identity. eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer)

What captivated me about ARGOS was the challenge of verifying the true identity of individuals behind their screens. This quest for reliable digital identity verification resonated with my passion for problem-solving and innovation.

My interest in the crypto and Web3 space has spanned nearly four years. A fundamental aspect of this domain is digital identity. In an environment where anonymity is prevalent, knowing who you’re dealing with is crucial for security and trust. Ensuring clarity and compliance in these interactions is paramount.

Joining ARGOS Identity felt like a natural progression. It allowed me to merge my expertise in compliance with my passion for the emerging fields of fintech, crypto and Web3, all while contributing to the mission of making digital interactions secure and trustworthy.

What is the core mission of ARGOS, and how does your company aim to achieve it?

At ARGOS Identity, our core mission is simple yet powerful: to identify anyone, anywhere, anytime. We aim to revolutionize digital identity by providing comprehensive identity verification as an infrastructure service. Our solutions cover all aspects of digital identity, ensuring security and compliance across various industries.

Our Approach:

1. Comprehensive eKYC Solutions:
   • We offer full eKYC services, including ID document verification, selfie matching, and anti-money laundering (AML) screening. This ensures that users are accurately identified and that their activities comply with legal requirements.
2. ARGOS Face ID:
   • For simpler needs, our ARGOS Face ID solution requires users to take a selfie, ensuring one user per account or unique users. This straightforward approach provides robust security without complexity.
3. ARGOS KYB (Know Your Business):
   • Our KYB services conduct thorough due diligence on businesses, particularly useful in the fintech space. This helps companies understand who they are partnering with, ease the burden of document collection, and enhance trust and security. Whether it’s for financial institutions or any business needing detailed insights, KYB provides critical information for auditing and decision-making.
4. Versatility Across Industries:
   • While our solutions are tailored for the financial sector, they are versatile enough to benefit any digital business. This includes e-commerce, digital gaming, casinos, crypto and Web3 platforms, and fintechs. Any organization needing to verify the identity of individuals or businesses can leverage our services for enhanced security and compliance.

Our Vision:

Our vision is to make identity verification seamless and integral to digital interactions. By providing reliable and efficient solutions, we help businesses ensure they know who they are dealing with, fostering a safer and more trustworthy digital environment.

In essence, ARGOS Identity is dedicated to making digital interactions secure, transparent, and compliant, supporting a wide range of industries in their quest for reliable identity verification.

What measures does ARGOS take to prevent identity theft and fraud during the verification process?

At ARGOS Identity, we employ a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to prevent identity theft and fraud during the verification process. Our strategy integrates advanced biometrics, AI and machine learning, and rigorous document verification to ensure the highest levels of security and accuracy.

1. Advanced Biometrics:

• We use state-of-the-art facial recognition technology to match selfies against official ID documents. This ensures that the person being verified is who they claim to be, providing a robust layer of security against impersonation and identity theft.

2. AI and Machine Learning:

• Our AI and machine learning technologies are pivotal in detecting fraudulent documents and suspicious activities. By analyzing patterns and behaviors indicative of fraud, these technologies help us anticipate and prevent fraudulent actions before they occur.

3. Document Verification:

• We verify the authenticity of ID documents by cross-referencing them with official databases. This step ensures that the ID document is legitimate and matches the individual presenting it, effectively preventing ID theft and counterfeiting.

4. Counterfeiting Detection Technologies:

• ARGOS uses 27 different counterfeiting detection technologies to identify fraudulent activities. These include detecting screen captures, text manipulations, and deepfakes. Our backend systems continuously analyze these factors to ensure that all documents and identities are genuine and secure.

By integrating these advanced measures, ARGOS Identity provides a secure and reliable verification process that prevents identity theft and fraud, ensuring trust and safety for our clients and their users.

Can you explain the importance of Know Your Business (KYB) alongside Know Your Customer (KYC) in today’s regulatory environment?

In today’s stringent regulatory landscape, it is crucial to know who you are doing business with. Every day, we see news about companies facing severe penalties for failing to comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations. These cases highlight the critical importance of thorough identity verification processes.

Know Your Customer (KYC): KYC is the foundation of AML and compliance processes, ensuring that the individuals you engage with are who they claim to be. This verification is essential, especially in a world where AI can easily mask identities, making it possible for anyone to pose as someone else online.

Know Your Business (KYB): KYB extends this principle to the entities you work with. It involves verifying the legitimacy of businesses by examining their registration details, ownership structures, and financial standings. KYB is vital for ensuring that the businesses you interact with are not involved in illegal activities and comply with AML regulations.

Why Both Are Essential: Implementing both KYC and KYB processes helps create a secure and transparent financial ecosystem. By verifying both individuals and businesses, companies can:

• Avoid Legal Troubles: Ensuring compliance with AML and other regulations helps avoid hefty fines and legal issues.
• Enhance Trust: Knowing who you’re dealing with builds trust among stakeholders and clients.
• Facilitate Audits: Proper documentation and verification make auditing processes smoother and more reliable.

Regulatory Compliance: Understanding and adhering to the specific regulations of your industry and country is paramount. Regulations can vary widely, so staying informed and compliant is critical to avoid legal repercussions and maintain a trustworthy business environment.

In summary, the combined implementation of KYC and KYB processes is crucial for maintaining security, transparency, and compliance in today’s regulatory environment. Ensuring you know both the individuals and the businesses you engage with helps protect your company from fraud and legal issues, fostering a safer and more reliable financial ecosystem.

What are some common misconceptions about identity verification that you would like to address?

Misconception 1: All KYC Platforms Are the Same One of the biggest misconceptions is that all KYC (Know Your Customer) and digital identity verification platforms are identical. In reality, there are significant differences in how these systems operate behind the scenes. For example, requiring a live photo as opposed to an uploaded photo can drastically reduce the risk of fraud. While technology can detect manipulated images, using live photos from the start minimizes these risks.

Misconception 2: The Process Is Intrusive and Time-Consuming Many believe that identity verification is a cumbersome and lengthy process. However, with ARGOS Identity, the implementation timeline can be as short as a few hours to a day. Our solutions are designed to be user-friendly and adaptable to your platform’s needs. While some organizations require custom UI/UX development through an open API, ARGOS can also provide quick and ready-to-go implementations.

Misconception 3: It’s Inconvenient for Users From the user’s perspective, uploading a picture of an ID and taking a selfie might seem inconvenient. However, this method adds multiple layers of security. By ensuring that every part of the ID is correct and matching it with the user’s live facial image, we provide robust protection against identity fraud. Additionally, ARGOS has the ability to use phone number and email verification, along with records from telecom providers, to further enhance security.

Future of Digital Verification There is also much discussion around digital credentials, verifiable credentials, and decentralized identities. ARGOS is actively working with companies to integrate these advanced services, making the verification process even easier and more secure in the future.

In conclusion, not all identity verification processes are created equal. At ARGOS Identity, we prioritize security, ease of use, and rapid implementation to dispel these misconceptions and provide a seamless verification experience.

What advice would you give to businesses looking to improve their identity verification processes?

1. Stress Test Your System: Set up a test account and rigorously test your identity verification process. Simulate various scenarios and challenges, such as handling common surnames in specific countries, which can complicate AML (Anti-Money Laundering) screening. This will help identify potential issues and ensure your system is robust as well as exploit potential issues.
2. Understand Regulations: Make sure you are well-versed in the regulations governing your industry and country. Compliance is crucial, and staying informed about regulatory requirements will help you avoid legal complications and fines.
3. Partner with Experts: Work with consultants and industry experts who can provide unbiased advice and help you navigate the complexities of identity verification. While they may not directly engage with a KYC vendor, their insights can be invaluable in optimizing your verification processes.
4. Prioritize User Experience: A seamless user experience is essential. If the verification process is too cumbersome, it may deter users. Ensure your system is intuitive and user-friendly to maintain customer satisfaction and compliance.
5. Adopt a Multi-Layered Approach: Combine different verification methods to create a robust defense against fraud. Use a mix of biometric verification, document verification, and additional checks such as phone number and email verification. This multi-layered approach enhances security and reliability.
6. Protect Your Organization and Brand: Ultimately, improving your identity verification process is about protecting your organization and brand. By implementing a thorough and effective system, you can safeguard your business from fraud, maintain regulatory compliance, and build trust with your customers.

In conclusion, improving your identity verification process involves rigorous testing, understanding regulations, seeking expert advice, prioritizing user experience, adopting a multi-layered approach, and focusing on protection. These steps will help you create a secure and efficient verification system that supports your business goals.