It is important to increase public awareness of possibilities and potential risks involved, as well as understanding of the legal consequences of digital identifications.

Understanding the possibilities that digital identification creates encourages people to use them.

The legal framework of eID can be divided into a number of steps. Furthermore, the number of steps might increase over time as the system grows and becomes more complex. But initially there are four main steps:

• Regulation of physical identity management on what eID will be based on;
• Defining eID issuance, revocation process, roles and responsibilities;
• Framework that ensures virtual proceedings shall be equal to physical;
• Setting eID as vital part of the state ecosystem.

Finding a suitable technological solution is a task of balancing security measures and the ease of use. Nonsecure eIDs will lead to identity theft. Then again, a too secure eID will not be widely implemented.

Government issued and nationally accepted digital identities are usually issued on national ID-cards (smartcards with contact or contactless chip) or in mobile form (i.e. mobile IDs). These eIDs usually rely on a secure token which carries the eID holders’ personal information.

The amount of information stored on the carrier varies and typically relies on the integration stage of Population Registry and overall e-Government solutions.

It’s important that issued digital identities can be verified online and are secure from possible forgers. Public Key Infrastructure will provide necessary confirmation and authenticity.

In a well-functioning digital society, most of private and business transactions should be conducted seamlessly through digital channels. That creates significant benefits for the users and increases effectiveness and efficiency of their resources.

Digital identification has to support the development of higher value services that carry higher levels of risk. Moreover, high levels of assurance services often require government issued, or so called “certified information”, included in an identity document like an ID-card. If there is no such mechanism online then the delivery of high level assurance services will continue to run as offline manual process.

Nortals solution includes all the necessary components to make eID usage in online services accessible for all service providers.

In a digital society, personal data is becoming a new form of currency. Accordingly, consumer concern has grown along with the increased use of personal data. However, most concerns and fears related to digital identification are due to a lack of knowledge.

Building up human awareness is a long-term process that includes many stakeholders. Proper understanding of eID possibilities and corresponding responsibilities will encourage people to recognise and use eID.