This summer the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs initiated the creation of a new business to government e-identity scheme, called eRecognition for Companies (e-Herkenning voor bedrijven). The result of this effort will enable the online authentication of business users that want to interact with the government.

By the end of 2009 the first implementations will start.

Innopay is heavily involved in the project. We’ve played an important role in the conceptual framework in the lead-up to the project and were responsible for the first version of the scheme documents. We are also involved in the further realisation of the scheme project. Our consultants are currently heading the application working group and the technical working group.

A number of things make eRecognition for Companies especially interesting:

Firstly, eRecognition for Companies is an open scheme in which a network of private companies fulfils the complete range of required identity services. The government acts as an end-user of the network’s services.

Secondly, the scheme is set-up as a variation to a four corner model, therefore akin to schemes such as VISA, MasterCard and the Dutch online payment method iDEAL. Currently, a number of the largest government bodies and several private companies have committed to the project and have already started contributing to the development.

Thirdly, the scheme will enable the reuse of existing authentication methods, such as used for online banking for example. Reusing existing methods that are already frequently used lowers the barriers for uptake. Also read Innopay’s short white paper E-Identity in a network perspective: re-use what’s already there.

Fourthly, the scheme will provide solutions for the registration of authorisations. These authorisations will allow managers to selectively authorise persons within or outside their company to interact with government services on behalf of the company.

And finally, although the scheme is aimed at B2G authentication, Innopay believes the results of this project can and will be mapped to B2B and C2B contexts. This vision significantly adds to the relevance of this project.

With internet playing an ever increasing role in conducting business, the means to sufficiently identify oneself is a prerequisite for the further development of e-business and e-government. This e-identity scheme is a major step forward in fulfilling this goal.

Read more about the scheme here.

Tags: e-Herkenning voor bedrijven, eRecognition for Companies, Scheme, the Netherlands

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