Kantara Initiative Releases “Road to Multilateral Recognition of Identity Assurance”

Kantara Initiative Announces Release of the “Road to Multilateral Recognition of Identity Assurance Programs” research papers. We now call for participation of industry and governments to converge collaborate in the interest of developing innovations and solutions that support trusted identity solutions at the global scale.

In 2015 the UK’s Cabinet Office and Kantara Initiative undertook a project to deliver a set of research papers that identify synergies between the UK and US identity assurance programs in the context of citizen identity. The vision of the project is to enable a pilot program that would allow the UK and the US respective programs to mutually recognize one another.

Today we are proud to release the following research papers to the public as critical enabling collaboration for our global community.
“The Road to Multilateral Recognition of Identity Assurance Programs Programs” Research Papers

Ideally, both programs’ policy requirements could be fully mutually recognized where an Identity Provider’s service is certified through the UK program, for example, could be fully recognized as trusted within the US program. Another, and perhaps more realistic approach would enable mutual recognition to a specified degree between the programs whereby a percentage of recognition would be awarded for services that are successfully certified via the UK or US programs. Another, and perhaps more realistic approach would enable mutual recognition to a specified degree between the programs whereby a percentage of recognition would be awarded for Identity Providers / Credential Service Providers that are successfully verified via the UK or US programs.

In essence the research papers provide the policy mapping review that is foundational to an early mutual recognition pilot. With the foundation in place the UK and US governments’ programs could also begin to research the technical interoperability of their government Identity Providers’ services, which have to meet government and industry standards hubs. For example, GOV.UK Verify and the US Connect.gov could further facilitate delivery of services to citizens through technical interoperability that is built on top of the policy mapping that is built on top of mutual recognition of identity trust frameworks including policy, standards, certification regimes.

Kantara sees this work as crucial to a ‘borderless’ and innovative approach to identity assurance. Understanding approaches to connecting the UK and US programs is a stepping stone to regional mutual recognition and interoperability which would align with the developing European Commission eIDAS program (in which the UK is a partner). This critical and foundational research is made available to the public fore review and consideration.

Kantara Initiative commends the UK Cabinet Office on its demonstrated leadership and innovation toward the delivery of trusted identity services. We are proud to bring research-based innovation to the world.