Closing ranks on Digitaltag: Switzerland gets an electronic identity
Electronic identity in Switzerland is on the verge of a breakthrough. A broad-based alliance of the private sector and policymakers is driving the project forward. In addition to Swiss Post and SBB, the new SwissSign Group’s founding members now include Swisscom and six Swiss financial services providers.
The project for an electronic identity (e-ID) has taken another step forward. Swiss Post, SBB, Swisscom, Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen, UBS, Zürcher Kantonalbank, the financial services provider SIX and Schweizerische Mobiliar have agreed to join forces. They want to establish a trustworthy Swiss brand for the e-ID, as the companies jointly announced.
The nine companies signed a letter of intent to establish a joint company. The aim is to create and implement a digital identity for the Swiss population.
SwissSign becomes the SwissSign Group
The joint company will be called SwissSign Group and will "integrate the activities of the current SwissSign and further develop the SwissID solution", according to the press release. SwissSign, the joint venture between Swiss Post and SBB, launched the electronic proof of identity called SwissID last May.
According to the press release, the sponsors of the SwissSign Group want to make digital identities more efficient, more user-friendly and simpler than has previously been the case. The e-ID should be usable both nationally and internationally, it continues.
Privately supported, state-certified
The company is to lay the foundations for a solution that is supported by the private sector but certified by the state. According to the signatories of the declaration of intent, this approach is in line with the Federal Council's intention to provide for a division of tasks between the state and the private sector.
Naef remains CEO
Markus Naef, currently CEO of SwissSign, has been appointed CEO of the new company. Naef took over as CEO of SwissSign to signal a fresh start, as he said in an interview with Netzwoche. The management of the new company will also consist of the current management of SwissSign. Interaction between different e-ID systems, users, partners and technologies is to be guaranteed.
Secure and free of charge
The use of the digital identity should be simple, secure and free of charge for the user, according to the press release. The initiators hope that a standardized E-ID will make business and administrative processes significantly easier.
The new system is intended to focus on user needs. Online retailers should also benefit from the simplification and benefits.
The federal government is pulling the strings
Data protection will be strictly adhered to, it continues. The Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) welcomes the fact that he will have a single point of contact regarding E-ID in future. The FDPIC considers the project to be extremely important.
The role of the state is also important, it continues. The federal government determines the legal framework of the project. And it alone can define and verify state identities. (Joël Orizet,Simon Mathis/Netzwoche)
