In My Opinion – Marc-Julian Siewert

In this occasional series of interviews, we ask leading figures in the world of ID and secure documents their opinions on some of the pressing concerns facing the industry today.

Having been in the post for just over a year, we felt it was time to ask Marc-Julian Siewert, CEO of Veridos, his opinions on one of the biggest questions facing our community: ‘how will physical co-exist with digital identity’.

Q: Hello Marc-Julian and thank you for taking the time to reach out to the readership of ID & Secure Document News™. There is little doubt that the technology trend for some time has been toward digital identities, but are there certain areas of identity that will always need a physical, government-issued document?

A: Of course, it is hard to predict future developments, especially when we are talking about tech in the distant future. Currently, governments around the world are still relying on physical documents – with good reason.

On the one hand, there is the issue of security, because physical documents have a wide range of features such as watermarks or holographic images.

However, comparable high-level approaches to secure digital identification solutions are being developed as we speak.

On the other hand, there is a lack of nationwide IT infrastructure to deploy virtual ID documents across the board, whereby the processing of the accumulating data volumes and the authentication of identities when crossing borders pose particular challenges for the development of those federal infrastructures. Especially as there are still no international standards that are a prerequisite for the problem-free global use of virtual documents.

For the above reasons, at least the passport, the most powerful document we have, will remain with us in its current form factor for some time.

Q: Some voices in the industry portray digital IDs as simply a different format of a physical ID document. But do you think it offers additional benefits?

A: Basically, a digital ID is not a mere replica of a physical ID, nor does it currently have the same expressive power. Rather, virtual documents today are complements that come with a whole range of advantages. Not only are they always up to date and easily updated, but the technology also takes care of checking for authenticity – which reduces the workload on staff.

But the introduction of digital IDs and eGovernment services offers one thing above all: greater convenience. Many of the necessary authentication processes can be carried out by citizens from the comfort of their own homes. These solutions not only eliminate the need to go to the authorities, they also facilitate increased access to public services.

Once stored on a smartphone, the virtual document is always available, whether for online or offline activities. For people who do not own a smartphone, all-in-one devices are available for credential management, secure authentication for access, approvals, and payments. They work across multiple platforms and are biometrically and cryptographically secured.

Q: In light of moves by some tech companies to take greater control of state-issued identities (see IDN Feb 2022), do you believe governments are always going to be the ultimate holder of a citizen’s identity?

A: In order to offer citizens advanced digital solutions, governments are already working closely with technology solution providers. Without such collaborative efforts, governments would not be able to do so in most cases.

However, it is key that the state remains in control of the projects at all times and stores the data securely in the appropriate identity infrastructure – an important prerequisite for strengthening the population’s engagement in national ID structures. Trust is of the essence.

An interesting experiment for the future in this context is Self-Sovereign ID (SSI). With this approach, data remains with citizens, who control and own their ID data and other verifiable digital evidence. It’s up to the users to decide what data they share, when, and with whom. Such a system gives citizens the freedom to confidently shape the digital future.

In my opinion, it is more likely that SSI will prevail rather than private providers taking over the role of the state. Because ultimately, it is all about trust and security when we talk about legal identities.

Q: One indicator of the balance between physical and digital identities might be found in the recruitment strategies of leading industry players. So, which professionals are you hiring more of at the moment: printers or software coders?

A: As a company, we see the importance of experts in both physical and digital solutions and are therefore hiring new employees in both areas. Of course, the demand for software experts is currently very high in all industries.

We have therefore increased our investment in research and development in this area, developing state-of-the-art digital infrastructures which connect both worlds. In particular, we have recently invested in NetSeT, a company specialising in the development of complex information systems for citizen data management and information security. In short, a software think tank.

Our goal is to be a holistic identity solutions provider, covering the entire ID lifecycle. As a one-stop-shop company, our partners can be sure that we offer the full range of physical as well as digital ID technologies to meet their needs.

Q: Can you look into your crystal ball and predict when identity, as held by governments on civil registration, will be purely virtual? By that, I mean when will the first citizen be born who has no paper-based, or digital equivalent, personally identifiable information – just a number that links to their credentials?

A: I would like to be able to answer that. There are already quite a few examples of countries that have launched corresponding approaches to digital ID programmes, such as our client, Bangladesh.

However, we need to be aware that a purely virtual lifecycle of ID documents requires the cooperation of many different players. This also means involving the private sector; the country’s entire ID infrastructure needs a makeover. The necessary know-how must be available across the board – from the capital to the smallest authority in the hinterland.

In addition, the entire population must accept a purely digital solution. This change in awareness is not always easy, especially among people who otherwise use few digital tools and products in their daily lives.

It’s hard to say when the first person will be born with a purely virtual identity, because that also depends on many external circumstances that we can’t really influence. But I’m sure it will be a while.