OTPtokensid

OTPtokensid is a proposed open standard for representing and exchanging one-time password credentials as digital identifiers within identity and access management systems. It defines a unified data model and lifecycle for OTP tokens that can be issued to users and used by both hardware tokens and software authenticators to prove possession of a secret.

Core to OTPtokensid is a token object with fields such as token_id, user_id, issuer, secret_key (encrypted), type (HOTP, TOTP, or challenge-response), provisioning_uri, creation_timestamp, expiration, and metadata describing policy. The standard specifies provisioning flows via QR codes, mobile apps, or API calls, and supports offline operation and token rotation. It accommodates time-based and counter-based codes and allows embedding policy constraints.

Verification workflows enable an OTP to be validated by a central service or edge verifiers, using cryptographic verification of the token's secret and its current code. The standard emphasizes interoperability so authenticators from different vendors can accept tokens issued under the same model, enabling cross-platform provisioning, revocation, and auditability. Interfaces may be RESTful or use other common protocols.

Security and privacy considerations include risks such as secret_key leakage, device compromise, phishing, and replay attacks. Mitigations include device binding, short code lifetimes, rate limiting, phishing-resistant provisioning, and hardware-backed storage. The model supports privacy-conscious design, such as minimal user data in transport and selective data sharing between providers.

Status and adoption: OTPtokensid remains a proposal within identity technology communities, with some prototype work and discussions but no universal adoption. Ongoing standardization efforts focus on interoperability, security governance, and practical deployment guidelines.