eIdentity

eidentity, or electronic identity, is the digital representation of an individual or organization used in electronic transactions to establish identity, authenticate access, and convey attributes. An eIdentity can consist of credentials, such as a username and password, digital certificates, or passwordless keys, and may include verified attributes like name, age, or residency. In practice, an eIdentity is created and managed by an identity provider (IdP) and presented to a relying party (RP) to prove who the user is and what they are authorized to do.

A typical eIdentity system separates authentication (proving who you are) from authorization (what you can do). It relies on identity proofing during enrollment, credential issuance, secure storage and revocation mechanisms, and standard protocols for exchanging identity data. Common technologies include PKI-based certificates, OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, SAML, and authentication methods such as FIDO2/WebAuthn.

Interoperability across services and borders is a goal in many jurisdictions, with frameworks such as the EU's eIDAS and national programs like India's Aadhaar illustrating national digital identity efforts. eIdentity enables services such as government e-services, online banking, healthcare access, and enterprise single sign-on, often improving convenience while enforcing access controls and regulatory compliance.

Privacy and security considerations are central to eIdentity. Good practice emphasizes data minimization, user consent, auditability, and the ability to revoke credentials. Risks include credential compromise, identity theft, and unauthorized attribute disclosure. Governance typically involves trust frameworks, governance bodies, and clear roles for IdPs, RPs, and overseers.