Digital ID is generally defined as smart cards that are underpinned by cryptography. They contain biometric information and enable proof of identity. In some countries they are already in use, this doesn’t mean there is a model there which can be replicated though.
Recently we’ve asked industry experts “What is the single biggest barrier to giving everyone a digital ID?” though our live #FutureofID chat.
#FutureofID Question 2 – What is the single biggest barrier to giving everyone a digital ID?
— Experian ID & Fraud (@ID_and_Fraud) June 14, 2016
Some concerns were raised about whether digital processes could ever offer complete security when human error can still play a part. Some questioned whether the governments Verify scheme answered this, whilst others believed it to simply be a challenge caused by appetite for adoption of digital identity.
@nesteroaa @ID_and_Fraud can we ever ensure complete security of digital identity when human error can still play a part #FutureofID — Arjun Medhi (@ArjunCIPFA) June 14, 2016
@RH_Experian @nesteroaa @ID_and_Fraud and to fully understand the threats and mitigate them throughout #FutureofID
— Arjun Medhi (@ArjunCIPFA) June 14, 2016
Some interesting points were around data connectivity. Is it possible to combine and connect data from varying single sources such as government, private sector and global security? A good question and the answers are unknown.
@RH_Experian @ID_and_Fraud hasn’t @GOVUKverify tried to bring about change in people’s views of digital identity? — Arjun Medhi (@ArjunCIPFA) June 14, 2016
@RH_Experian @ID_and_Fraud coercion? That’s a big call #FutureofID
— Arjun Medhi (@ArjunCIPFA) June 14, 2016
Education is one area which was commented on and this will take time to invest and manage. People need to understand the opportunities of owning their identity and managing it, were tweets posed by the debaters – how can an education programme with society concerns over personally identifiable information be managed? Is it similar to chip and pin? Critics suggested it would take a big education programme to implement – however the programme was enforced and over 10 years ago the nation simultaneously transformed the way in which card transactions were made – resorting to a single chip sign on identifier – by a unique chip and personalised number.
@RH_Experian @ArjunCIPFA Problem is that you can only educate those that are interested in learning. Often only happens after #Fraud — Martina Dove (@curiousshrink) June 14, 2016
@curiousshrink @RH_Experian I agree and businesses and Govt (schools) could do more to educate #FutureofID — Arjun Medhi (@ArjunCIPFA) June 14, 2016
It is clear from the comments that people believe that infrastructure, education (from an early age) and cooperation needs to drive the change.
Q2: #FutureofID biggest barrier is infrastructure — Neira Jones (@neirajones) June 14, 2016
Q2: #FutureofID and therefore needs cooperation for success
— Neira Jones (@neirajones) June 14, 2016
.@ID_and_Fraud The biggest issue is adoption, we have so many people who look at this and see it as Big Brother #FutureofID — Richard Howells (@RH_Experian) June 14, 2016
We’d like to thank all of our experts for joining the online debate: Martina Dover, Neira Jones, Arjun Medhi, @tweetwithjonny, Richard Howells and Jonathan Williams. Watch this space and #FutureofID on twitter for future questions, follow @id_and_fraud on twitter to be up to date with the latest industry news, as well as join our debates and have your say on whether online identity can be truly fully inclusive:
So far 57% agree that online identity can be truly inclusive! Have you voted? https://t.co/HcF9u8Pj5a #FutureOfID pic.twitter.com/Rpu46EKyg4 — Experian ID & Fraud (@ID_and_Fraud) June 9, 2016