How to Find the Best Background Screening Services in 2026: Balance People and Technology

Choosing a background check partner used to feel straightforward. But so much has happened over the past year: the increase in AI adoption, the rise of identity fraud, the ongoing complexities in compliance requirements, and the normalcy of remote and global hiring.

Yet one thing hasn’t changed: the best background screening services isn’t the one with a larger tech stack. It’s the one that strikes the right balance between people and technology. They want speed without sacrificing accuracy, and automation without losing fairness or human support.

So how can organizations find the right balance between technology and people? Below are key indicators of what to look for, and how the right balance creates safer, faster, and more trustworthy hiring.

1. Technology Matters in Background Screening, But Not on Its Own

A background screening partner should offer tools that make your hiring process smoother, faster, and reliable. But it needs to support your hiring team, not overwhelm or replace them.

What does “impactful” technology look like?

• Delivers fast background checks TAT through automation
• Provides alerts on post-hire changes through continuous monitoring
• Reduces administrative burden with by simplifying workflows
• Creates mobile-friendly experiences for both candidates and hiring teams
• Provides clear, easy reporting that hiring teams can understand at a glance

AI plays a bigger role now too. It can scan and organize data quickly, highlight potential issues, and help teams spend less time on manual review. But AI should only support, never replace, human judgement. It should work alongside your team, giving them the insights and time they need to make informed decisions.

2. Human Expertise is Still the Difference-Maker

Even with all the innovation happening in background screening, human expertise is essential. Behind every effective background screening program should be specialists who understand the nuances of the many parts involved in the process. These experts help organizations create the most effective screening program based on their objectives and goals, ensuring every screen is thoughtful, efficient, and aligned with best practices.

Simply put, people add value in ways technology can’t:

• Access to specialized experts: Your provider should have specialists in compliance, drug testing, verifications, and other key background screening components who can provide best practices when you need it.
• Insights related to roles and industries: Background checks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Experts can offer educational insights and trends related to the specific requirements of each job role and industry.
• Strong candidate support: A strong and knowledgeable support team helps maintain trust by ensuring candidates can easily get answers to their questions and concerns during the background screening process.

3. Why the Balance of Technology and People Is the Real Competitive Advantage

The combination of these two priorities – technology to increase speed and accuracy, humans to add expertise and best practices – are needed to hire well. So, what questions should hiring teams ask when evaluating, or even reconsidering, their background check provider to ensure they have the right balance of tech and humans?

Here are some simple questions to ask:

Technology Benefits

• Is their platform innovative and easy to use?
• Can they integrate with your HR stack, including your applicant tracking system (ATS)?
• Is AI being used responsibly and transparently?
• Does the platform offer easy access to reporting insights?
• Do they offer a mobile-friendly candidate experience?

Human Expertise Benefits

• Can you reach a support team easily?
• Do they provide true industry experts who understand the nuances of your field and can offer informed best‑practice guidance?
• Do candidates have access to a support team if they’re confused or stressed?
• Do they have dedicated compliance specialists to provide education and insights on changing laws?
• For unclear results, is there a person who can help review the results?

And that’s just the start of the questions you should be asking. If you’re evaluating providers, our blog Screen Your Screener: Vendor Assessment Checklist breaks down 10 important areas to review when choosing a background screening provider. Plus, it includes a free, easy-to-use downloadable checklist to help guide your decision.

The Best Background Screening Experience is Built on Partnership

Choosing a background screening partner isn’t simply a technology decision. The most effective background check solutions are built with the combination of a trusted human partnership and a modern, technology-forward platform. Asurint specializes in combining innovation with industry expertise to help hiring teams hire with speed, accuracy, and confidence

Organizations who get this balance right will make better hiring decisions, protect their workplaces, and deliver a candidate experience that reflects their values.

For a deeper evaluation, take a look at our free Background Check Provider Assessment Checklist.