Personal data is treated with the highest level of security, stored in compliance with applicable data protection laws, and safeguarded against unauthorized access or disclosure. Access to personal information is limited to authorized personnel with a legitimate need, and data retention is done for the necessary duration to meet legal requirements and fulfill the purpose of the verification process.
Mr. Amit Singh Senior Vice President & Head- Commercial, First Advantage India, talked about this and much more in an exclusive interview with Biz News Desk. First Advantage is a leading background verification firm headquartered in the US
BND: Kindly brief us about First Advantage, your specialization, and the services & solutions that your company offers.
Amit Singh: First Advantage (NASDAQ: FA), is a leading global provider of technology solutions for screening, verifications, safety, and compliance related to human capital. As we continue to plan and execute our company strategy, our vision is to enable our customers to Hire Smarter and Onboard Faster with advanced product and technology roadmaps.
From small businesses to global organizations, spanning a wide range of industries, our suite of background verification services includes pre-employment check, education records, employment history, address verification, criminal searches and much more which helps our customers hire with confidence and stay compliant.
BND: Tell us how your company is contributing in the government and private sectors of the nation and how the company is benefiting the clients?
Amit Singh: Background screening is vital in both the government and private sectors, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of individuals in sensitive positions, protecting national security, and upholding public trust.
Thorough background screening in the private sector enables informed hiring decisions, mitigates risks, and safeguards company assets and reputation by verifying qualifications, employment history, criminal records, and relevant information of potential employees.
First Advantage offers clients specialized expertise and resources for efficient and comprehensive background screenings. By utilizing advanced technologies, accessing extensive databases, and adhering to strict compliance guidelines, First Advantage delivers reliable and accurate results, enabling clients to save time, ensure legal compliance, and make confident hiring decisions based on verified information, contributing to overall safety, security, and integrity in both government and private sectors.
BND: Your company keeps conducting periodic research on discrepancies in background verification. which sectors have been witnessing the highest discrepancy and why?
Amit Singh: First Advantage conducts periodic research on discrepancies as it is essential to maintain the integrity of the process, stay updated on industry developments, identify patterns or trends, and effectively manage risks associated with inaccurate or unreliable background information.
First Advantage also publishes its Trends Report every quarter, which provides insights on industry discrepancies in background verifications. In Q1-23, sectors such as BFSI, E-Commerce & Logistics, FMCG, Retail and Telecom showed substantially greater discrepancy percentages than the overall average of 11.5 percent.
BND: What are the various tools and technologies first advantage is using for verification?
Amit Singh: With technological advancements in Digitization, RPA companies have been able to automate a lot of manual processes. Here are some effective tools which helps in speeding up the applicant screening process.
Digital Address
Using digital methodology, thus enabling a fast, reliable validation. An automated solution which uses advanced GPS technology to match the geographic coordinates of the address provided by the applicant.
E-Court
This automated solution provides instant and accurate information of the applicant’s criminal background via the e-court database, by identifying any court cases against the applicant.
Employment validation via UAN
For this process we use the UAN, validation of applicant’s association with the employer and the dates of enrolment using the EPFO portal for records.
BND: what are the various challenges you faced while conducting bgv?
Amit Singh: First Advantage has successfully addressed the challenge of conducting background checks within tight timelines, particularly when handling a high volume of screenings or gathering information from multiple sources. By implementing robust processes, leveraging technology, maintaining strict data privacy standards, and continually adapting to evolving regulations and industry best practices, First Advantage ensures that it meets the business needs of its clients during the verification process.
BND: How safe is it when candidate or potential employee’s identification verification is done through adhaar card or pan card?
Amit Singh: First Advantage places paramount importance on maintaining the personal information collected during the background verification process with strict adherence to data privacy and security standards. Personal data is treated with the highest level of security, stored in compliance with applicable data protection laws, and safeguarded against unauthorized access or disclosure.
Access to personal information is limited to authorized personnel with a legitimate need, and data retention is done for the necessary duration to meet legal requirements and fulfill the purpose of the verification process.
BND: What are the company’s future expansion plans for India?
Amit Singh: The digital transformation of the background screening industry is revolutionizing the way organizations approach pre-employment screenings and due diligence checks. With the advent of advanced technologies and the increasing demand for accurate and efficient background checks, the industry is embracing digital solutions that streamline processes, including consistency in execution, faster turnaround times without sacrificing accuracy, and improve overall quality and effectiveness.
First Advantage has also embarked on transformation journey including platform, applicant experience, analytics, digital solutions, and end to end integrations.
We are committed to staying at the forefront of these developments to provide our clients with the best possible background screening services. Striking the balance between tech and people, our innovations help you to “Hire Smarter and Onboard Faster.”
