Physical and Mobile IDs - Working Together to Protect Your Identity

Last month, you may have read about all of the exciting advancements we’ve made in innovative technologies in 2016, including the introduction of our mobileID platform, HID goID™. As we head into 2017, this momentum is continuing with some interesting trends. Specifically, we are seeing great interest in adopting mobile IDs as an extension — as opposed to a replacement — of physical IDs. This further strengthens our belief in the co-existence of mobile and traditional physical IDs for the foreseeable future. Transitions to new technologies are complex. They take time. However, the benefits of co-existence are clear, whether you’re a government or citizen. In total, co-existence of physical and mobile IDs can:

• Ensure better, faster, more efficient access to government services;

• Safeguard privacy by protecting access to personal data; and

• Provide options to citizens who prefer one method over another.

A great example of where the physical and mobile ID worlds have begun to work together in government-to-citizen identification is the Irish Passport Card, highly-secure document that allows travel across borders in the European Union. Irish citizens can apply and pay for their Passport Card using their mobile phones. Similarly, global banks are allowing customers to apply for cards, accounts and services using remote application from a mobile phone (e.g., submitting a selfie for verification). This is a win-win for the customers who get the convenience of applying from wherever they choose and for the bank which reduces overhead and administrative costs.

We have no doubt that we will see more instances like this, combining aspects of physical and mobile identification. We are excited to be at the forefront of this trend and will keep you posted in the months to come. In the interim, you may wish to read our executive brief, Physical and Mobile IDs — Working Together to Protect Your Identity, to learn more about the benefits of both types of IDs.