National Strategies and Policies for Digital Identity Management in OECD Countries

This paper analyses and compares national strategies for digital identity management in OECD countries. These strategies aim to drive innovation for e-government and for the broader Internet economy while remaining consistent with current national identity practices.

For most countries, the overarching objective or vision for the development of a national IdM strategy is the realization of electronic government. In addition to e-government, most countries also aim to foster innovation in the broader Internet economy, either explicitly or implicitly, either immediately or in the longer term. Two countries consider cybersecurity as the fundamental objective for their strategy rather than e-government and/or the development of the broader Internet economy. Although their vision has a different focus, the strategy of these two countries does not fundamentally differ from that of the other countries. Generally, however, innovation, e-government and cybersecurity can be identified in all countries‘ approaches. Variations are essentially related to the level where these dimensions are addressed (vision, strategy or policy). Fostering innovation in the broader Internet economy is a shared objective by a majority of responding countries but is not always explicitly mentioned as such. It can, however, be deduced from key aspects of their strategy and policies.

National IdM strategies aim to benefit businesses, citizens and the government. They are considered a key enabler for innovation in the public and private sectors: as they facilitate the generalization of stronger electronic authentication, they enable higher value services that require a high level of security assurance to be offered. They are also expected to have economic benefits in terms of reducing costs and increasing productivity in the public sector and to foster usability of online services. Increased trust or assurance about identities online – or even bi-directional trust between parties transacting or communicating online – is also highlighted as a key benefit for all participants.