News - Shared Logon implementation underway
Authentication Shared Logon Implementation underway
8 December 2004
The Government recently approved the Shared Logon Initial Implementation project, a significant step forward in developing an all-of-government approach to delivering online services in a safe and secure manner.
Using single logons -for instance, a username & password- will make life easier for individuals and businesses. New Zealanders anywhere in the world will have the option to use a single logon to access multiple government services. The costs of creating and maintaining a separate logon each time a new service is required will disappear. People will not have to remember a different username and password for each government agency they transact with; it will be like having a unique key that opens many government service doors.
As well as developing the required standards and infrastructure, the overall system design emphasises the high value New Zealanders� place on their privacy. The project team is in ongoing discussions with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and an additional Privacy Impact Assessment will be undertaken once the Shared Logon design has been finalised.
The use of a single logon will remain optional. People, if they choose, will still be able to use a separate logon for each service they use. And there will be alternative channels for people to access the services they want. For those who wish to use the Shared Logon service, the system will be designed to ensure that government agencies are not able to match or swap any personal information involved with the authentication process.
Shared logons will lower the overall cost to government because the service will be built once and used by multiple agencies. Participating government agencies will be able to avoid the costs and risks associated with major authentication upgrades. For instance, when upgrades are required in order to respond to more sophisticated security attacks. This is because these upgrades will only have to be performed once at the central service provider.
A Request for Proposal has been used to select vendors to provide the software and other infrastructure components required for the project. The preferred vendor is expected to be confirmed early in 2005.
The Ministry of Economic Development will pilot the development of the Shared Logon business processes and software components. A small number of other service agencies will be included in the initial implementation, which will be completed by December 2005 and be reviewed before further rollout to other government agencies is decided upon.
The Department of Internal Affairs, in partnership with the E-government Unit, is looking at the options for the department to leverage its existing systems to develop an all-of-government identity management infrastructure, and is involved in developing standards related to identity management. In the meantime, the agencies using the shared logon service will continue to use their existing identity management processes.
For more information, www.e-government.govt.nz/authentication/
