Porvoo conference furthers European e-ID interoperability

16.12.2002

The Porvoo e-ID Group at their conference held this past November 20-21 in Dublin emphasised and reinforced the already widespread notion that e-ID interoperability is the wave of the future in establishing an open, safe and seamless information society, which will benefit all European citizens.

Summaries on the status on smart card-based national e-ID cards instigated discussions amongst the 43 participants comprising of government policy makers and technical experts from 15 European Member States and applicant states. As a follow up to the e-ID seminar held in Porvoo, Finland in April 2002, the Dublin meeting focused on an exchange of experiences from different countries on a variety of associated topics, namely the benefits and set backs of the process, ways to extend e-ID to all Europeans and e-ID best practices. It was noted that real-life deployment of e-ID in an increasing number of countries is well under way. Finding interoperable solutions in Europe is hence, the underlying goal of the Porvoo e-ID Group. A consistent e-ID user experience for all Europeans will help to support awareness of a European identity.

"This Porvoo group clearly focuses on the needs of the European citizen," says Jan van Arkel, co-chair of the eEurope Smart Card Charter (e-ESCC) and co-chair of the conference. "Electronic identity has been one of the main targets of the SCC and I really like this common European approach to a seamless user experience for e-ID functionality. It will contribute to the realisation of a vision in which every European citizen has the same access to remote e-government services all over Europe on a 24 hour-a-day basis. Ultimately, this will have more impact than even the euro in offering a total all-inclusive European experience to citizens," adds van Arkel.

The conference came to a close with a number of resolutions that addressed the significance of interoperability to secure future networking systems and the need for co-operation to offer European citizens convenient, user friendly access to e-government services. To achieve this aim, recommendations included having a common and cross-border set of pictograms for a seamless user experience of e-authentication, only a limited number of different PIN codes (with the possibility for the cardholder to change the PIN code as the next best solution to using more user-convenient biometrics), and a maximum of two certificates for the functions of identification/authentication and digital signature on an e-ID card.

Secure access was foremost in all discussions as participants agreed that a common e-ID function is of strategic importance on a pan-European level, and also an essential element to meet European citizens' issues of trust in any electronic communication between the citizen and government.

"Digital signatures is a fundamental element in this context," says van Arkel. "Confirming the identity of individuals, when business and other needs require, is crucial in establishing trust. A secure authentication scheme is a prerequisite for mainstream use of many kinds of electronic applications and services."

The Porvoo Group recognised the fact that the visual aspects of e-ID cards, particularly when used as a travel document is imperative to securing the trust of the end user. As a result, they adopted a resolution to present the relevant card's electronic data in a form that can be easily read by the human eye. The Group will complete a proposal for its next meeting, which is expected to be consistent with established international standards, and will propose it for inclusion in the SCC's Common Specifications.

"Not even today, let alone in the future, can public administrations render services in strictly traditional ways. Government services have to be available in a variety of methods and means (for example, over the Internet)," says Ritva Viljanen, director general of the Finnish Population Register Centre. According to Viljanen, smart card-based public service cards or e-ID cards cover two significant basic needs: they protect the consumer and secure e-services on the Internet while allowing convenience of use a virtual civil servant at your service anytime, anywhere. "In consequence, reliable e-government services require a comprehensive solution for identification, authentication and digital signature, and all this can be provided by an interoperable e-ID the main focus of the Porvoo Group," adds Viljanen.

'Sharing information' is the key phrase to sum up the Group's future activities in regards to technological developments, deployment and standardisation matters of government e-services that use e-identity. Indeed, e-services are what it's all about. The Group's objective is to foster networking opportunities so countries can learn from each other, and to keep a close liaison with the eESC initiative. The Porvoo Group is continuing to work towards a comprehensive solution for electronic communication focusing on the benefits of interoperability on a European scale. The next meeting will be held in Oslo May 20-21, 2003.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Jan van Arkel, eEurope Smart Card Charter chairman, e-mail , arkel@cardlife.nl
Mr. Tapio Aaltonen, TB1 (Public Identity), eEurope Smart Card Charter, Finnish Population Register Centre (PRC), tapio.aaltonen@vrk.intermin.fi

*The eEurope Smart Card Charter (eESCC) initiative aims to accelerate and harmonise the development and usage of smart cards across Europe.

*The Porvoo e-ID Group comprises of government and industry representatives of 14 European countries including Member States, as well as candidate countries.


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