When we talk about data security, most people immediately picture complex IT work: a hacker breaking into a system while an IT team scrambles to stop them. Almost like a movie scene, right?
In reality, the biggest threats to data today don’t just come from weak systems—but from unverified digital identities.
Whether it’s a data breach, a leaked database, or unauthorized access, they all lead back to the same root cause: identity. The everyday information we use to navigate digital services is actually the foundation of strong data security.
So why does identity matter so much? Let’s dive in.
Digital Crime in Indonesia Has Increased Sixfold
Data security challenges come from all directions—rapidly growing digital transactions, evolving threat sophistication, and the increasing habit of sharing personal identity data.
According to the DGVERS discussion hosted by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs together with B-Universe in September 2025, digital crimes in Indonesia rose sixfold compared to the previous year.
Investor Daily reported insights from Prof. DR. Ing. Ir. Suhardi of STEI ITB, explaining that the spike is driven by the massive shift of commercial and social activities into the digital space. As a result, personal data such as medical information, financial records, and e-money transactions now circulate widely online—making them prime targets for cybercriminals.
Even more concerning: cybercrime is no longer aimed at large institutions alone. Every individual is now a potential victim. Attackers increasingly use phishing, social engineering, and even exploit household IoT devices—CCTV cameras, smart locks, home routers—you name it. Any weak point can become an entryway.
This shows that data security is no longer just about strong systems—it’s about how well identity and access are controlled and verified.
Worse, identity breaches often happen simply because someone manages to log in as someone else. For example, attackers use leaked personal data to impersonate someone, access financial systems, customer records, or internal dashboards. One vulnerability can ripple across an entire organization.
Identity-Based Cyberattacks
Indonesia ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of data leaks globally. Based on VIDA’s findings, 84% of businesses in Indonesia experienced identity fraud in the past year—including fake IDs, synthetic identities, and deepfakes posing as CEOs.
Unlike traditional attacks like viruses and malware, identity-based attacks rely heavily on deception. Here are the main types:
1. Phishing & Social Engineering
Attackers manipulate victims psychologically into willingly giving away sensitive information—OTP codes, passwords, verification details. Tactics include fake emails, WhatsApp messages, or spoofed websites.
A staggering 97% of businesses in Indonesia have been targeted by social engineering, with phishing being the most dominant method.
This proves that identity manipulation is one of the most exploited cybercrime entry points.
2. Account Takeover (ATO)
Successful phishing often leads to account takeover, where attackers gain control of an account to commit illegal transactions, manipulate systems, or steal data.
3. Deepfake Impersonation
Deepfakes are widely used as entertainment online, but the same AI technology can generate fake faces or voices to impersonate someone during calls, video messages, or instructions—posing a serious threat to personal and organizational data security.
4. Synthetic Identity Fraud
Criminals combine real leaked data (like NIK or date of birth) with fabricated details (name, address, photo) to create entirely new digital identities.
56% of businesses in Indonesia have been victims of synthetic identity fraud.
Imagine how many customers were affected by those incidents.
All these attacks may look different, but they share the same weakness: digital identities that are not strongly verified.
Digital Identity Is the Foundation of Data Security
Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP) requires data controllers to safeguard the information they manage. In the financial sector, OJK and Bank Indonesia also mandate digital identity verification to prevent account misuse.
In Europe, GDPR states that personal data collection and processing must be accompanied by provable consent. This means companies must not only protect data, but also prove that the right person is using it.
From a technology standpoint, identity protection goes far beyond usernames and passwords. Attackers today have countless ways to bypass basic authentication.
Effective data security now relies on three crucial components:
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Biometric identity verification to prevent fake onboarding
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Biometric and device-based authentication to ensure transactions are done by legitimate users
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Fraud monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity in real time
VIDA as a Personal Data Security Platform
VIDA, as a certified digital identity provider (PSrE), helps organizations strengthen security at the most critical point: identity.
VIDA’s solutions include:
• VIDA Identity Verification
Combines biometrics, document validation, and real-time authenticity checks to prevent fake registrations and synthetic identity fraud.
• VIDA FaceToken
Passwordless login powered by facial recognition and liveness detection—accessible only with real faces, not photos or deepfakes.
• VIDA PhoneToken
Binds accounts to verified devices. Even if attackers steal an OTP or password, they still cannot log in without the legitimate device.
• VIDA Deepfake Shield
Detects AI-generated content, preventing impersonation through fake videos or voices.
With this multi-layered approach, VIDA helps institutions prevent fraud, reduce operational risks, and build long-term digital trust.
Strengthening data security doesn’t require overly complex technology. It starts with three core pillars: verification, authentication, and fraud detection—the foundation for protecting digital identities.
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