Implementing Secure Identity Verification

Implementing Secure Identity Verification

Identity verification presents one of the most challenging aspects of rights management. Verification must be strong enough to prevent unauthorized access to personal data while not being so burdensome that it effectively denies rights exercise. Different request types and data sensitivity levels require different verification strengths, creating a complex matrix of requirements.

Multi-factor verification approaches provide flexibility while maintaining security. Email verification works for basic requests, while sensitive data access might require additional factors like security questions, phone verification, or document validation. The verification process must also handle edge cases like users who've changed email addresses or lost access to verification methods.

// Advanced identity verification system
class IdentityVerificationService {
  constructor() {
    this.verificationMethods = {
      EMAIL: { strength: 1, name: 'Email Verification' },
      PHONE: { strength: 2, name: 'Phone Verification' },
      DOCUMENT: { strength: 3, name: 'Document Verification' },
      VIDEO: { strength: 4, name: 'Video Verification' },
      KNOWLEDGE: { strength: 2, name: 'Knowledge-Based Verification' }
    };
    
    this.verificationRequirements = {
      access: { minStrength: 2, methods: ['EMAIL', 'PHONE', 'KNOWLEDGE'] },
      deletion: { minStrength: 3, methods: ['EMAIL', 'PHONE', 'DOCUMENT'] },
      portability: { minStrength: 2, methods: ['EMAIL', 'PHONE'] },
      rectification: { minStrength: 2, methods: ['EMAIL', 'KNOWLEDGE'] }
    };
  }

  // Initiate verification process
  async initiateVerification(request) {
    const requirements = this.verificationRequirements[request.type];
    const verificationSession = {
      sessionId: this.generateSessionId(),
      requestId: request.id,
      userId: request.userId,
      requiredStrength: requirements.minStrength,
      availableMethods: requirements.methods,
      attempts: [],
      status: 'pending',
      expiresAt: new Date(Date.now() + 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000) // 24 hours
    };

    // Store session
    await this.storeSession(verificationSession);
    
    // Send verification options to user
    await this.sendVerificationOptions(request.userId, verificationSession);
    
    return verificationSession;
  }

  // Process verification attempt
  async processVerification(sessionId, method, data) {
    const session = await this.getSession(sessionId);
    
    if (!session || session.status !== 'pending') {
      throw new Error('Invalid or expired verification session');
    }

    const attempt = {
      method,
      timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
      success: false
    };

    try {
      // Verify based on method
      const verified = await this.verifyByMethod(method, data, session);
      attempt.success = verified;
      
      // Record attempt
      session.attempts.push(attempt);
      
      // Calculate cumulative strength
      const totalStrength = this.calculateStrength(session.attempts);
      
      if (totalStrength >= session.requiredStrength) {
        session.status = 'verified';
        session.verifiedAt = new Date().toISOString();
        
        // Trigger request processing
        await this.triggerRequestProcessing(session.requestId);
      }
      
      await this.updateSession(session);
      
      return {
        success: attempt.success,
        sessionStatus: session.status,
        remainingStrength: Math.max(0, session.requiredStrength - totalStrength)
      };
    } catch (error) {
      attempt.error = error.message;
      session.attempts.push(attempt);
      await this.updateSession(session);
      throw error;
    }
  }

  // Verify by specific method
  async verifyByMethod(method, data, session) {
    const verifiers = {
      EMAIL: async () => {
        const token = data.token;
        const expectedToken = await this.getEmailToken(session.userId);
        return this.secureCompare(token, expectedToken);
      },
      
      PHONE: async () => {
        const code = data.code;
        const expectedCode = await this.getPhoneCode(session.userId);
        return this.secureCompare(code, expectedCode);
      },
      
      KNOWLEDGE: async () => {
        const answers = data.answers;
        const questions = await this.getSecurityQuestions(session.userId);
        let correct = 0;
        
        for (const question of questions) {
          const userAnswer = answers[question.id];
          const correctAnswer = await this.getSecurityAnswer(session.userId, question.id);
          
          if (this.secureCompare(
            this.normalizeAnswer(userAnswer),
            this.normalizeAnswer(correctAnswer)
          )) {
            correct++;
          }
        }
        
        return correct >= Math.ceil(questions.length * 0.8); // 80% correct
      },
      
      DOCUMENT: async () => {
        // Verify uploaded document
        const document = data.document;
        const analysis = await this.analyzeDocument(document);
        
        // Check document validity
        if (!analysis.valid) return false;
        
        // Extract and verify information
        const extractedInfo = analysis.extractedData;
        const userInfo = await this.getUserInfo(session.userId);
        
        return this.matchUserInfo(extractedInfo, userInfo);
      }
    };

    const verifier = verifiers[method];
    if (!verifier) {
      throw new Error(`Unknown verification method: ${method}`);
    }

    return await verifier();
  }

  // Calculate cumulative verification strength
  calculateStrength(attempts) {
    const successfulAttempts = attempts.filter(a => a.success);
    const uniqueMethods = new Set(successfulAttempts.map(a => a.method));
    
    let totalStrength = 0;
    for (const method of uniqueMethods) {
      totalStrength += this.verificationMethods[method].strength;
    }
    
    return totalStrength;
  }

  // Secure string comparison (constant time)
  secureCompare(a, b) {
    if (a.length !== b.length) return false;
    
    let result = 0;
    for (let i = 0; i < a.length; i++) {
      result |= a.charCodeAt(i) ^ b.charCodeAt(i);
    }
    
    return result === 0;
  }
}