Identity assurance is the process where you’re able to prove that an entities’ claim of a certain identity can be trusted as their true identity. When a claim of identity is made by an online entity, credentials of identity must be accepted by a relying party in order to be proven. If the online entity is an actual person, he or she must provide the relying party with personal identification information, an identity proxy, or a digital certificate.
The Purpose of Identity Assurance
The purpose of identity assurance is to assist online entities with verifying their identity. Doing so allows online entities to make secure and trustworthy business transactions. Identity assurance makes the entities online presence more trustworthy. Say, for example, that a person is e-mailed by an entity stating that is stating that they need to collect personal information for a business transaction. The chances of that entity being seen as trustworthy will be extremely low until that entity can prove that they are who they say they are. If a person wishes to own an online business, they will not be seen as believable unless they have identity assurance. Identity assurance protects the entity in question, as well as those whom they do business with.
Identity assurance is an important aspect of identity and access management. Companies that partake in identity assurance do so to ensure that their mobile workforce is productive and can be seen as trustworthy. When a company’s mobile work force is trusted, they can better access sensitive information and applications. Requiring the presence of identity assurance also helps to prevent fraud from occurring. Furthermore, identity assurance allows the company to comply with regulated frameworks.
Who uses Identity Assurance?
Almost every company uses identity assurance in some shape or form. Employees who work for at a company’s satellite location is likely to use identity assurance the most. Because the employee is not working from the company’s actual location, they must have a way of verifying their identity to other employees and consumers. Those who own an online business or take assignments over the internet are also likely to utilize Identity Assurance.
Identity assurance allows one entity to verify their identity to another entity. The benefits of Identity assurance include secure transactions, a better reputation, and the ability to verify ones identity. Lack of Identity Assurance can lead to business transactions that are not secure and the inability to prove ones identity. Though the processes of gaining identity assurance is somewhat lengthy, the benefits of secured transactions make it well worth it.