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Digital Identity Crisis? No Problem.
3:11 PM EDT Tue. Jun. 24, 2008
The nonprofit organization's goal is to create a more secure and open digital identity for users through the adoption of Information Cards. Information Cards are the online equivalent of something we overload our wallets with every day—cards to prove our identify and provide information. The high-tech cards, however, are a "visual representation of a personal digital identity which can be shared with online entities," according to a release issued by the foundation. "Consumers are able to manage the information in their cards, have multiple cards with different levels of detail, and easily select the card they want to use for any given transaction."
Instead of entering a user name and password when logging onto a Web site, people will be able to simply "click in" using a digital identity that has only the information that's needed to make a transaction, according to the Information Card Foundation.
In addition, users can create a "digital wallet," also called an Identity Selector, that lives on a computer desktop, browser or other Internet-enabled device. Some Selectors come with operating systems, browsers, or users can choose their own. There are also several compatible Identity Selectors that are available for different platforms and environments.
Users then create their own cards (called self-issued Information Cards), which can be used at Web site that accepts them and no longer have to input user names and passwords to log in.
Information Cards can also be obtained from sites or institutions that cardholders already use and trust. Such sites that issue cards are called Identity Providers, and include associations that users already belong to, banks or financial institutions where users have accounts, government ID issuers, such as the DMV, and credit reporting companies.
According to the IFC, consumers will not be the only ones to reap the benefits. Businesses and organizations that supply or consume personal information can further their interactions with financial institutions, retailers, educational and government institutions, health-care providers, retail providers, and travel, entertainment and social networks.
"Businesses will enjoy lower fraud rates, higher affinity with customers, lower risk and more timely information about their customers and business partners," said Charles Andres, executive director of the Information Card Foundation.
The IFC's infrastructure will use existing and emerging data exchange and security protocols, standards and software components. In addition, the group will hold interoperability events to improve technology and management of the cards.
