Dr Ted Dunstone

🤝 Critical Importance of Trust

Trust is essential for user adoption and system integrity.

  • Trust is the cornerstone for user adoption and system legitimacy.
  • Transparency is key in building and maintaining public confidence.
  • Data integrity and reliability 
  • Effective governance reinforces stakeholder and user trust.

Threats are continual and global ...

🔐 Foundational Cybersecurity Principles

Implementing robust security measures is crucial for protecting digital identities.

  • Best practices in secure software development and infrastructure hardening.
  • Compliance with international cybersecurity standards and frameworks.

🔒 Access Control

Combining identity verification with dynamic access control minimizes risk through layered security.

Digital ID Security Risks

Core

Edge

Digital ID Security Risks

A Map of Cyber Vulnerabilities 

Biometric Spoofing

A Map of Cyber Vulnerabilities 

Deep fakes

Biometric Spoofing

A Map of Cyber Vulnerabilities 

Biometric Spoofing

Deep fakes

Deep fake video

Fake Documents

🕵️‍♂️ Embedding Privacy and Cybersecurity

Incorporate security and privacy considerations throughout both the policy development and implementation stages.

⚠️ Addressing Emerging Threats

Stay ahead of evolving cyber threats to protect digital identities.

Overview of emerging cyber threats, including AI attacks and IoT vulnerabilities.

  •  Global cybersecurity trends and regulatory changes.
  •  Balancing innovation and risk.
  •  Challenges in low-resource environments: limited infrastructure, budgets, and skills.
  • Importance of international collaboration and capacity-building.
  • Using emerging technologies to enhance resilience.

 

📅 Example Roadmap

✅ Top 10 Checklist 

  • ☑ Build Public Trust: Ensure transparency, community engagement, and clear communication about Digital ID systems and data protection.
  • ☑ Embed Privacy and Cybersecurity: Apply “privacy by design” and “security by design” from planning to implementation.
  • ☑ Implement Strong Access Controls: Use role-based or attribute-based access control and the principle of least privilege, supported by background checks and reviews.
  • ☑ Ensure Secure Identity Verification: Use reliable identity sources and anti-fraud measures, especially at enrolment.
  • ☑ Use Robust Encryption: Encrypt personal data and limit data retention with secure storage practices.

 

✅ Top 10 Checklist 

  • ☑ Regularly Monitor and Audit System Activity: Continuously check for anomalies and keep audit trails to detect misuse early.
  • ☑ Plan for Incident Response and Recovery: Create and test a national response plan for cyber threats to Digital ID systems.
  • ☑ Align with Global Standards and Regional Norms: Follow frameworks like ISO/IEC 24760, NIST guidelines, and relevant data protection laws.
  • ☑ Account for Local Capacity and Resource Constraints: Select scalable solutions for low-resource environments and plan for gradual implementation.
  • ☑ Invest in Capacity Building and Public Awareness: Train staff and partners on security practices, and educate the public on safe Digital ID use.
Resource Risk Privacy Security
Cybersecurity Initiatives Overview ✔
Implementing a Cybersecurity Program ✔
Data Protection and Privacy Laws ✔
ID Enabling Environment Assessment (IDEEA) ✔
Technical Standards Catalog ✔
Costing Study and Model ✔
Privacy and Security by Design Approach ✔ ✔
Platforms for Personal Oversight ✔
Digital Certificates and PKI ✔
Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Legal Frameworks ✔

Cybersecurity Initiatives for ID Systems

  • Cybersecurity Diagnostics and Governance: Helps countries assess cybersecurity maturity and set up governance frameworks for cybercrime and cybersecurity. Learn more

  • Risk Management and Critical Infrastructure Protection: Works with governments to manage cybersecurity risks, safeguarding critical infrastructure in finance, health, and telecom. Read further

  • Cyber Incident Response: Aids countries in preparing for and responding to major cybersecurity incidents, enhancing national response teams. More information

Privacy and Security by Design Approach

  • Legal Frameworks: Highlights the need for data protection and privacy laws to secure individual data and rights. Details here

  • Operational Security Controls: Suggests measures to ensure the security of ID facilities and data centers. Explore more

  • Cybersecurity Program: Recommends building capacity in ID authorities to safeguard assets and manage cybersecurity risks. Guidance available

Tools and Resources for Practitioners

  • ID Enabling Environment Assessment (IDEEA): A tool to assess a country's ID systems and legal frameworks. Access the tool

  • Technical Standards Catalog: Guidance on adopting standards for ID system interoperability and security. View the catalog

  • Costing Study and Model: Insights into costs of ID system designs for budgeting. Learn more

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is constantly evolving and remains a fundamental aspect of our systems.

  • Ensure it is embedded throughout the entire lifecycle
    • Procurement / Design / Pre-Production / Production
  • Ideally, obtain independent assurance and testing
  • Implement proactive measures for monitoring and mitigation

Questions

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By Ted Dunstone

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