Top Secure Identity Trends to Watch in 2016: Part #3

A new era of secure connected identities will fuel innovation in how we work, shop and play.

Last week, I discussed the industry’s increased focus on streamlining security to enhance the overall user experience.  This can only be accomplished by ensuring that security is a “given,” where people can easily and confidently go about their daily lives. 

And, after two decades of advances from simple visual ID badges and smart cards to mobile ID solutions, the industry will now enter its next new chapter that will serve as the “tipping” point for these frictionless user experiences:  connected identities that are used on a variety of devices for a growing range of existing and new applications. 

• There will be greater reliance on many digital versions of our identity, used in many different ways across all walks of life. 
• We will connect our identities to an expanding solution ecosystem for secure access to doors, data and cloud-based services and applications, accelerating the need for unified identity management systems and processes.
• The more we use these connected identities to secure so many aspects of our lives, the more it will fuel innovation in everything from the way we bank and purchase items to how our businesses, hospitals, schools, manufacturing plants and other facilities are built and operated. This will also create new business models and monetization opportunities.
• Multi-layered security strategies will be critical for protecting these connected identities.
• Biometrics will offer the potential to eliminate digital identity theft while making security even more convenient.  This is the only form of authentication that binds digital identities to the individual, determining who is actually using the system while verifying whether he or she is the true, legitimate identity owner for a myriad of new mobile and on-line applications.

Connected identities for a more connected world will also be catalyzed by advances in privacy and trust for applications in the Internet of Things, not to mention best practices for deploying simple yet secure solutions.  Check back next week to learn more.