Online authentication - Home
Authentication at a glance:
The All-of-government Authentication Programme began in
2000 with the aim of determining what Government could do to help
people more conveniently and securely authenticating themselves when
transacting with government agencies using the Internet. The
Programme has moved from policy development, high-level design work and
public consultation through to the implementation and building of an
operational logon service. Work on developing further authentication
services is underway.
Key documents
Overview
To use some government services, you need to verify who you are. You also need to know that you are dealing with a real government agency. The process of verifying who you are and establishing the authenticity of the agency is called ‘authentication’.
In recent years the State Services Commission has been working with a range of public interest groups and agencies to examine what online authentication might mean for people and government agencies dealing online with each other. The focus has been on determining an approach that allows individuals to have confidence when they transact online with New Zealand government agencies.
In April 2002 this work resulted in the Government approving a set of policy and implementation principles for authentication.
The principles were the basis for the four conceptual models that were developed in late 2002 to represent the possible ways to achieve a consistent approach to online authentication. These models were analysed to determine the implications of each approach and feedback was also sought via a public consultation.
This led to a decision by the Government in June 2003 to proceed with designing an all-of-government authentication solution. With input from a range of groups and individuals the E-government Unit determined how such as solution might work and considered the various implications that it may give rise to.
On the basis of this work the Government has decided that a phased implementation of all-of-government authentication should commence. The current phase, which started in July 2004 and will last until April 2006, will:
- develop and implement a Government Login Service in up to four agencies
- further work to confirm the estimated costs and benefits of rolling out the Government Logon Service to other government agencies.
- develop standards for the overall authentication process
- further policy working including legislation
- research and develop ways in which electronic identity can be managed
- support and develop review bodies and undertake Privacy Impact Assessments
When this work is completed, the Government will make a decision on how and when to proceed further with implementing online authentication.
This web page will be updated with further information as work progresses.