"Digital Identity Holds Key to Boosting Cyber Posture, Officials Say"

The continued development of digital identity concepts could help organizations improve cybersecurity and mitigate various security risks, according to officials from the federal government and Capitol Hill. Tim Weiler, economic policy advisor and legislative counsel for Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., pointed out current legislation that could increase the use of digital identity technology to help strengthen the federal government's cybersecurity posture. The Improving Digital Identity Act backs higher standards in order to ensure a government-wide approach to better digital identity. The bill would create a task force of federal, state, and local leaders to develop secure methods for government agencies to validate identity attributes in order to protect individuals' privacy and security. It also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create new standards for digital identity verification services that prioritize security and privacy. Connie LaSalle, senior technology policy advisor at NIST, stated that her organization has already begun to develop digital identity guidelines. The NIST Digital Identity Guidelines provide technical requirements for federal agencies implementing digital identity services, but they are not intended to limit the development or application of standards for other purposes. This article continues to discuss the Improving Digital Identity Act and the NIST Digital Identity Guidelines. 

MeriTalk reports "Digital Identity Holds Key to Boosting Cyber Posture, Officials Say"