A combined procedural and technological measure that employs multi-factor authentication to robustly verify user identity and continuously supervises real-time access to financial institution systems. By incorporating two or more independent authentication factors (for example, passwords plus device-based or biometric credentials), it ensures strong identity verification and reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Concurrently, it monitors user sessions to identify suspicious usage patterns or privilege misuse, providing early warning of potential insider threats or external breaches. This measure underpins AML/CFT defenses by safeguarding critical investigative data and maintaining the integrity of monitoring processes. In practice, it enhances security culture, ensures adherence to regulatory obligations, and helps thwart the misuse of internal platforms for money laundering or terrorist financing.
Access Authentication & Monitoring
Client Lifecycle Stages
Constant session monitoring.
If a non-regular user needs certain system access.
Setting up multi-factor authentication for new clients or new employees.
If suspicious logins occur, you might strengthen authentication or investigate.
Mitigated Techniques
Implement multi-factor authentication, device fingerprinting, and IP block checks to identify overlapping digital footprints among supposedly different account holders. Automatically flag repeated logins or account creations from the same device or location, triggering further investigative checks. This helps uncover criminals controlling multiple mule accounts behind falsified identities.
Require strict role-based permissions and multi-factor authentication for all staff with access to alter transaction records or supporting documentation. Monitor logs of every user action in real time, immediately flagging unauthorized changes or attempts to bypass standard update procedures.
Incorporate IP intelligence checks into login authentication and continuously monitor session behavior. If a customer frequently logs in from VPN-driven IP addresses or exhibits geolocation anomalies (e.g., improbable rapid movement across regions), require additional identity verification or block sensitive functions. By identifying and challenging suspicious VPN logins, institutions can reduce adversaries' ability to maintain anonymity.
Require additional multi-factor authentication or step-up verification when sessions originate from recognized public WiFi IP addresses. Log and analyze repeated or concurrent logins from multiple hotspot locations—especially if combined with VPN or Tor usage—as strong indicators of malicious activity aiming to mask identity. By enforcing robust credential checks, institutions limit fraudulent access attempts via shared WiFi networks.
Implement robust, continuous session monitoring to detect frequent IP switching or concurrent VPN usage. Require step-up authentication or manual review whenever the platform detects chained VPN endpoints or abrupt changes in geolocation. By enforcing real-time verification, institutions limit the effectiveness of multi-hop VPN tactics for concealing user identities.
Enforce strong authentication, such as multi-factor authentication or biometrics, combined with continuous IP monitoring to flag repeated usage of anonymizing networks. Users connecting from Tor or VPN endpoints should trigger an immediate challenge-response or step-up verification to ensure genuine account control despite IP masking.
Mandate multi-factor authentication and continuous login tracking for all gambling-related transactions. Flag abrupt changes in IP address, device fingerprint, or location to detect stolen credential usage or collusion across multiple accounts in different jurisdictions.
Strengthen email and system access controls for institutional finance departments and vendor management portals. Mandate multi-factor authentication, track login patterns, and investigate anomalies, especially those surrounding vendor or payment instruction emails, to prevent unauthorized redirection of tuition or fee funds.
Implement strict user authentication measures and closely track system access for employees with override privileges. Require multi-factor authentication and maintain real-time logs of override actions, alerting compliance teams to any unusual spikes or patterns indicative of insider collusion.
Implement multi-factor authentication and real-time session monitoring to detect login anomalies and device mismatches. By cross-referencing geolocation, user behavior analytics, and IP addresses against claimed customer information, institutions can quickly identify suspicious activity indicative of account takeover or identity manipulation.
Integrate multi-factor authentication (MFA), biometric verification, or device-based login controls to ensure that the individual accessing the account matches the documented identity, especially during new customer registration or KYC refresh. Continuously monitor login attempts from unusual IP addresses or devices that contradict the claimed location or identity details.
Binding accounts to faceprint or hardware-token factors prevents the same individual from simply re-registering with a new name: the biometric/device clash exposes the alias attempt at login.
Enforce strong multi-factor authentication and continuously monitor login sessions for abnormal automation patterns, such as rapid sequential logins from a single IP or a device rotating across multiple accounts. Immediately challenge or block recurring script-driven logins or bulk transfer attempts that indicate the use of specialized illicit software.
Require multi-factor authentication and robust login tracking for accounts conducting notable in-game trades. Enforce consistent user device or IP usage and flag repeated logins from multiple jurisdictions within short timeframes. This reduces the use of large-scale networked accounts created solely to shuffle funds.
Require multi-factor authentication for all logins and track device or IP usage in real time. Immediately lock or escalate accounts exhibiting login activity inconsistent with the legitimate owner’s established behavioral profile. This measure prevents identity impersonation by making account takeovers significantly more difficult for fraudsters using stolen credentials.
Deploy multi-factor authentication and device fingerprinting to block unauthorized or automated account takeovers. Continuously monitor for anomalous remote access patterns, including detected VPN usage, remote desktop software, or repeated identity attempts from the same device, triggering immediate account review or suspension.
Implement robust multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all online banking logins. Deploy device fingerprinting to detect usage from unfamiliar devices, and enforce real-time session monitoring to block logins from flagged locations. Immediately require re-verification or lock the account if abnormal access patterns, such as consecutive failed login attempts or sudden password resets, are detected. By preventing unauthorized infiltration at the login stage, institutions significantly reduce criminals’ ability to exploit compromised accounts for laundering funds.
Enforce strict role-based access controls and multi-factor authentication for all users with privileges to alter financial records. Continuously log and review user sessions to detect anomalous access attempts or edits outside of approved work processes. Alert on suspicious modification patterns, such as large-scale edits or access during off-hours, indicating potential tampering.
Enforce robust role-based access controls, multi-factor authentication, and activity logging for all users making changes to core compliance systems. Implement real-time monitoring to flag suspicious activities such as overrides, disabling compliance filters, or altering transaction thresholds—key tactics used by infiltrators seeking to launder funds undetected.
Enforce strong user authentication, such as multi-factor authentication, and track device/IP usage to identify multiple accounts operated by the same person. By correlating login patterns, institutions can identify collusive rings that leverage shared or overlapping access points to facilitate chip dumping.
Require multi-factor authentication for accessing RDC tools and track user credentials, device fingerprints, and IP addresses for each deposit. Alert compliance teams when the same device logs deposits into multiple unrelated accounts or when deposit activity originates from high-risk or previously unknown locations.
Enforce robust multi-factor authentication and role-based permissions for any staff accessing AML systems or administrative functions. Maintain continuous logs of system modifications, immediately flagging unauthorized changes to transaction thresholds, security protocols, or monitoring rules. This directly prevents criminals or colluding insiders from covertly manipulating the bank’s infrastructure to launder funds undetected.
Enforce multi-factor authentication and additional security checks for high-risk mobile payment functions. Continuously monitor account access frequency, device changes, and IP address anomalies that may indicate hijacked or fabricated identities used in layering schemes.
Strengthen account opening and login processes with multi-factor authentication (MFA), IP address analysis, and continuous device monitoring to detect suspicious use of VPNs or repeated credential attempts from the same hardware. Suspend accounts or require additional verification when anomalies arise, such as mismatched biometric data.
Enforce multi-factor authentication and monitor login patterns for anomalies, such as multiple unique IP addresses or device locations used to access the same account. Investigate inconsistent access patterns that may indicate external "mule herders" controlling an account.
Implement robust identity verification for high-risk phone or video instructions by requiring multi-factor authentication or advanced voice biometrics with spoof detection that deepfake technology cannot easily replicate. By validating authenticity beyond voice alone, institutions can thwart impersonation attempts seeking unauthorized fund releases.
Strengthen authentication and monitor privileged accounts to prevent insider-driven cryptomining, unauthorized script deployment, or use of institutional infrastructure for illicit mining.
References
Financial Action Task Force (FATF). (2020, March). Guidance on digital identity. FATF. https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Financialinclusionandnpoissues/Digital-identity-guidance.html
Carl Viertel, & Stefan Celistio. (n.d.). RegTech Report: Wargaming a Cyberattack on a Mid-Tier Oil and Gas Company. RegTech Report.