Governments worldwide are partnering with private sector organizations to offer their citizens digital identities. With a digital identity, government services can be more accessible, efficient, and secure for all. A digital identity (ID) can be considered an online form of identification, similar to a passport or driver’s license, which citizens can use to identify themselves online and verify their documents. In addition, governments can use digital ID technology to ensure citizen privacy and security by verifying the identity of individuals when and where they are accessing government services.
Today, government services are primarily paper-based and outdated, hindering citizens from efficiently accessing essential services. Digital ID technology can help streamline the delivery of government services by creating a secure online channel for citizens to access their records such as tax details, medical history, and land records instantly. Citizens can also digitally sign contracts, grants, or permits and update their information in real-time. The government can reduce fraud, costs, and time spent on managing paper documentation by delivering services digitally. They can improve service delivery to all citizens, especially those living in rural or remote areas, underserved by their current delivery mechanisms.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of digital identity is its ability to create a seamless, secure digital channel for all citizens. Digital ID technology allows citizens to access services from any device and can be used for all interactions with government agencies. To create a secure environment, digital ID systems employ information security systems that allow government agencies to verify the identity of each citizen without sharing personal data. This helps to prevent identity theft and fraud.
Digital identity is the next step in unlocking digital transformation
To unlock digital transformation, governments must shift their focus from preserving paper records (the last mile infrastructure) to providing citizens with an updated digital identity that is fully digital, secure, and portable. Digital identity technology can transform government services, both on the front-end and back-end of the delivery model. The technology is being developed to provide governments with a secure, efficient, and convenient digital identity method for citizens.
Digital identity is a game-changer for governance
Digital identity will transform the way governments interact with their citizens, and it has the potential to take governments beyond paper-based processes. Digital ID technology provides excellent opportunities for governments to create greater efficiencies and personalization of services. However, the current digital identity landscape is relatively new and rapidly changing. As governments adopt this new technology, they must learn how to bring it into the workflow effectively.
For governments to fully reap the benefits of digital identity, they must prepare for technological change by building organizational and cultural readiness. Therefore, CIOs are encouraged to collaborate with their respective governments using trustgrid.com to define a strategy, establish technology readiness and enact culture-bound policies that support digital identity.
Governments worldwide are partnering with private sector organizations to offer their citizens digital identities. As a result, governments can create a more efficient, secure, and convenient mode to identify and access government services while ensuring privacy and security of the information exchange.