Recap: Digital Identity Community of Practice Kick-Off
The Digital Identity Community of Practice kick-off event featured key resources, a new research publication on account creation and identity proofing, and insights from multiple speakers.
The virtual kick-off event featured two guest speakers who provided insight into ecosystem resources and current digital identity approaches.
Ashlee Sellung of the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, presented on the Digital Government Hub, a “one-stop-shop” to search for and submit publications, research, and best practices related to design, data, and technology in government service delivery. The Hub includes a dedicated collection of resources focused on digital identity. Sellung highlighted the DBN’s new research publication: Account Creation and Identity Proofing in Online Public Benefits Applications, released in December 2024.
Anirban Sen, senior product lead for the Office of Digital Services at the California Department of Technology (CDT), provided insights into California’s Identity Gateway. The Identity Gateway securely connects state-level programs with identity providers, like Login.gov and data providers, such as Veterans Affairs, to streamline the applicant identity and/or eligibility verification process. As Sen described, the Identity Gateway aims to make verification processes more seamless, interoperable, and secure. Using verification for transit benefits as an example, Sen described how the Identity Gateway uses data tokenization to avoid sharing sensitive personal data.
The call wrapped up with peer breakout groups, where CoP members met other stakeholders working in their sector (e.g., state and local government, nonprofits, etc.) to discuss why digital identity matters in their work. Across breakout groups, members were interested in the avenues the CoP could provide for collaboration and partnerships. Members also agreed that the primary challenge for their respective roles and the CoP was leveraging digital identity to facilitate greater access while maintaining data security.
Get Involved
The Digital Identity CoP is open to individuals with varying levels of familiarity with digital identity from across state, local, tribal, and territorial government; federal government; direct service providers; advocacy organizations; academia; and industry to foster shared learning, dialogue, and collaboration. Interested individuals can fill out the CoP Interest Form to get involved and join the community.
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