News - Authentication design phase gets the nod

Authentication design phase gets the nod

September 2003

In June Cabinet gave the go ahead to continue work on developing an all-of-government approach to online authentication. Cabinet’s decision followed a round of public and agency consultation that looked at a number of conceptual models and their implications. The consultation indicated a clear preference for a central approach with a minimum of information exchange and storage. A summary of the preferred approach is available as a Blueprint.

The design phase, which extends until early 2004, will involve further consultation with agencies and key stakeholders to provide a detailed design, full privacy impact assessment and a business case for Cabinet to consider in March 2004. During the design phase work will also be undertaken to develop public sector-wide standards for the operation of online authentication.

Online authentication allows people and agencies to have confidence in each other’s identity when conducting transactions online. It is one of the key elements of e-government and will become increasingly important as agencies seek to extend the range and functionality of their online services.

A number of agencies already conduct online authentication for specific online services. A common approach that can be applied across the whole of government will not only provide consistency for people using government services online, but ease the way towards the kind of joined-up government envisaged in the Government’s strategy for e-government.

For more information contact authentication@ssc.govt.nz.