How can Digital Identity Increase Trust? Embracing Technology for a Secure Future

Guest blog from John Cullen at Thales as part of our #UnlockingDigitalID campaign week 2024.

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the concept of Digital Identity (DI) has emerged as a pivotal factor in bolstering trust in credentials.

The digitalisation of identity has the potential to deliver faster services that are more convenient to individuals, create new revenue streams and deliver organisational efficiencies to governments and businesses. However, to achieve this, it must be based on a robust identity trust framework that prevents fraud, puts people in control of their data, and is secure and resilient to attack.

Ten years ago, the UK was positioned as a leader in digital transformation of government but in recent years it has fallen behind other countries, such as the US and Australia. So, what are the lessons that can be learnt from countries that have adopted and deployed DI?

The changes and advances in DI and cybersecurity were hot topics for the Global Information Security Interoperability Summit in Sydney earlier this month. As we watch with interest to see what developments follow, it’s a good time to reflect on the progress made to date in Australia to understand what lessons can be learnt.

Case Study: Lessons from Australia

Australia's approach to DI stands as a benchmark for the global community, offering valuable insights into this technology's transformative potential while demonstrating how government-led efforts can foster widespread adoption and trust in DI technologies.

myGovID: A Pioneer in Digital Identity

This allows users to establish a digital identity that is verified against official records and has dramatically reduced the reliance on physical documentation and in-person verification. By employing biometric data and rigorous verification protocols, myGovID ensures that digital identities are secure and credible.

Mobile Driving Licenses (MDLs)

MDLs are digital versions of traditional driving licenses that can be stored on smartphones and other mobile devices. They leverage advanced encryption and biometric authentication technologies to provide a secure and convenient method for verifying a person's driving credentials and offer real-time updates and notifications.

Australian Government Digital ID System (AGDIS)

AGDIS and accompanying data standards were developed through extensive consultation over several years and are built upon the former Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF). The legislation (renewed in 2024) addresses essential issues like data protection, consent management and interoperability, which are critical for the widespread uptake of DI systems.

Advantages of Digital Identity in Credential Verification for Global Use

Enhanced Security

DI systems use advanced technologies such as cryptography, biometrics, multi-factor authentication, and sophisticated threat detection to bolster security. These measures make it increasingly challenging for malicious actors to forge or manipulate credentials.

Efficiency Gains

Automating identity verification processes significantly reduces the time and effort required to validate credentials. This efficiency proves particularly beneficial in sectors like education, healthcare, and finance, where swift and accurate verification is crucial.

Improved User Experience

DI systems provide a user-friendly alternative to traditional identity verification methods. Users can manage their credentials conveniently from their smartphones or computers, eliminating the need for physical documentation. This convenience enhances user satisfaction and promotes the adoption of DI solutions.

Real-Time Verification

DI allows for real-time identity verification. This means that law enforcement, service providers, and other stakeholders can instantly verify the authenticity of a person’s documentation using a secure platform. This capability helps prevent the use of counterfeit documents and ensures that identity verification processes are swift and reliable.

Flexibility and Convenience

Carrying physical identity documents can be cumbersome, especially when they need to be presented frequently. DI gives individuals the choice to avoid this inconvenience by allowing them to store their credentials on their smartphones. This not only streamlines the process of identity verification but also reduces the likelihood of losing or damaging important information.

Enhanced Control over Personal Data

Privacy is a critical concern in the digital age. DI can be designed to share only the necessary information required for a specific transaction, protecting the individual's privacy. For instance, if age verification is required, the DI interface on the Thales Digital ID Wallet can confirm that the individual is above the required age without revealing the exact birthdate.

Challenges and Considerations

While DI offers many benefits, several considerations must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. Thales, a global leader in DI, has been responsible for deployments of this technology worldwide. Our experience has provided some valuable lessons that have informed the key recommendations outlined below.

Data privacy and security

A robust legal framework, which addresses varying degrees of security assurance, helps build trust and confidence in DI. The centralisation of sensitive personal data raises significant privacy and security concerns. Cybersecurity is critical to maintaining the integrity of digital identity systems, from using digital certificates to protect every element of the system to providing data and application security and being able to detect and respond to attacks in real-time.

Inclusivity and interoperability

Ensuring that DI systems are accessible to everyone, including those with limited access to technology, is a significant challenge. Efforts should be made to bridge the digital divide and support marginalized communities to ensure equitable access to DI services.

For DI systems to be effective, they must be interoperable across different platforms and jurisdictions. Establishing common standards and fostering collaboration among stakeholders is crucial to achieving interoperability. This is especially true for the large number of people travelling between the UK and EU, as different identity schemes would cause challenges for both individuals and businesses.

Future prospects

The future of DI is promising, with continuous advancements in technology and policy frameworks paving the way for more robust and secure DI systems.

Integrating Emerging Technologies

The integration of DI systems with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) holds immense potential. AI can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of identity verification processes, while IoT devices can add layers of security and convenience.

Global Collaboration

By sharing best practices and collaborating on international standards, the UK and other countries can learn more about and contribute to the adoption of secure and reliable DI systems.

Adopting digital identity in the UK

The UK has a strong foundation upon which to scale up the adoption of DI and is well-positioned to make progress over the coming years. Thales has identified three foundational pillars that will enable the UK to introduce a national DI programme:

Increased public uptake of currently available DIs: The growing acceptance and adoption of mobile digitised services by the public, such as self-service mobile passport renewal applications, secure banking apps, and NHS app services, indicate a readiness to embrace mobile digital identity.

Strong security of DI enabling technology: For DI to be trusted, it must be secured to the highest standards at every part of the process, from robust cybersecurity measures to the secure design of smart phone processors and their operating systems and the carefully considered use of biometrics.

Maturity of international standards: As seen in Australia and Europe, these now provide a solid framework for implementation and can contribute to the scalability and interoperability of digital identity systems.

In conclusion, the implementation of DI in the UK has significant potential for driving efficiency, security, and convenience across public services and developing significant new revenue streams from businesses. Moving towards more secure and inclusive DI ecosystems will enhance the user experience, protect against fraud, and promote economic growth while putting people in control of how their personal data is shared. That said, there must always be a choice, and physical identity will continue to play an important role alongside digital identity in the foreseeable future.

Welcome to techUK’s 2024 Digital ID Campaign Week! On the 14-18^th Oct, we are excited to explore how our members are increasing efficiency for both businesses and users, combatting fraud, as well as what creative and innovative ways our members are expanding our understanding of Digital Identities.

Whether it’s how we’re communicating, shopping, managing our finances, dating, accessing healthcare or public services, the ability to verify identity has quickly become a critical vanguard to the Digital Economy.