A method includes receiving a verification request in a verification agent running on a given device and determining whether the verification agent is able to invoke a verification platform application programming interface (API). The method also includes, in the event that the verification agent is able to invoke the verification platform API, performing remote verification of the verification request via the verification platform. The method further includes, in the event that the verification agent is unable to invoke the verification platform API, starting an internal timer and performing local verification of the verification request at the given device. The method further includes granting the verification request responsive to one of a successful remote verification and a successful local verification within a given time period specified by the internal timer, otherwise denying the verification request.