Introduction

This Best Practice Framework outlines issues and approaches that government agencies should consider in planning and implementing online authentication solutions.

Online Authentication

The Internet, and its associated technologies and business models, is profoundly affecting the way government, business and people interact. Government is adapting to this new environment in a way that will eventually transform how it operates. The design and delivery of services is already changing to meet the changing needs of New Zealanders.

New Zealand E-government Strategy - June 2003

Online Authentication is the equivalent of walking into a government agency and dropping your passport, birth certificate and latest phone bill on the desk of the nearest public servant, except you don't get your feet wet or have to search for change to catch the bus. You also don't have to empty the third drawer down to find your coffee stained birth certificate or pay a fee to a government agency for a new one, so you can take it to another government agency.

Online authentication enables Government to move beyond simply providing information online by transforming itself into a multi-channel, transactional service provider.

The objective of Online Authentication is to provide consumers of government services with the opportunity to apply for and receive services over the Internet without having to appear in person every time. Achieving this requires answering a number of important questions, including:

• What does a person need to do to establish their identity?
• Once identity has been established, how can another party trust that identity without requiring the person to fully re-verify themselves?
• If a person transacts with government online, how can the fact that the transaction occurred be proven if the person later denies it?

Online Authentication is about taking advantage of the opportunities the Internet offers for both the public and government agencies. This Best Practice Framework was developed to assist in achieving this by providing guidance to agencies on the concepts involved, technical considerations and policy issues.