The 2013 World e-ID Congress took place last week in Nice, France. Though the event focused primarily on smart card identity solutions, both mobile and NFC took centre stage this year. The context for many of the sessions was security and cooperation. With revelations about the NSA and other governments’ intelligence agencies’ activities fresh in everyone’s minds, discussions ranged from securing physical infrastructure through to access and digital documents. Particular focus was given to financial services, and the means by which mobile networks, SIM cards and devices can be used to ensure higher levels of transaction security, both locally and internationally.
Collaboration and cooperation were very prominent themes, with representatives from NATO, the World Bank, the EU and NSTIC (part of the US government’s National Institute for Standards and Technology that deals with digital identity) all present. Alongside them were representatives of a number of national governments, including the UK, France, Hungary and others. A substantial amount of time was spent discussing two countries in which government-issued identity cards do not exist – the UK and US. David Rennie from the UK Cabinet Office and Jeremy Grant from NSTIC both gave a detailed explanation of their strategies and progress to date: in both cases, the government is acting as a coordinator, but allowing the private sector to provide and manage digital identities.
The importance and potential shortcomings of biometric solutions featured in many of the Q&A sessions, and a number of presentations on the last day of the event. The consensus appeared to be that biometric technologies are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable – as evidenced by Apple’s new Touch ID solution – but their use must be sensitively managed. As a means of verification, prior to an authentication event, biometrics can be extremely valuable. As a credential for authentication, their use may not be appropriate.
Compared to last year’s event, there was a very clear change in tone and dynamics. Whereas last year much of the discussion was comparatively theoretical and abstract, this year there were many examples of governments and enterprises that have launched electronic identity solutions. Though most were smart card based, there were a number of impressive mobile solutions, the most notable of which was from Azerbaijan, where the government and mobile operators have collaborated to create a mobile digital signature service in support of e-Government. Launched in May of this year, 20,000 individuals have already made use of the service.
Here’s hoping that there will be many more such examples at next year’s event.