The future of digital identity

26 Mar 2019 01:50 PM

Blog posted by: , 25 March 2019 – Categories: GOV.UK Verify and identity assurance.

Portrait of Lisa Barrett

GOV.UK Verify, government’s digital identity programme, aims to ensure that users can create, use and reuse digital identities across public and private sector services.

As the recently appointed Director of Digital Identity at the Government Digital Service, it’s my role to ensure that this happens, and to shape the role of GOV.UK Verify in the future. It’s a big challenge and one I feel privileged to have joined.

Here’s what I’ve been up to so far and my priorities for the near future.

Data, innovation and investment

Before joining government, I spent most of my career in start-up organisations, including as a Director for the online learning platform Coursera, Chief Operating Officer at venture capital firm Mustard Seed Impact, and Managing Director of education technology company Avado Digital.

And prior to joining GDS, I led the efforts across the Ministry of Justice to make the system and decisions as data-driven as possible, including as Director of Analysis and Interim Chief Scientific Advisor.

These experiences are highly relevant at this point in time for digital identity, as we also need to consider the incentives of, and ensure tech works for, both users and content/identity providers. We need to innovate smartly and with user needs at the heart. And we need to act with urgency on opportunities that will unlock further investment in this market.

The importance of digital identity

I’ve been at GDS for about a month now and there are several things that have struck me that I thought were worth sharing.

Digital identity is a collaborative project

GDS is increasingly focused on more collaborative relationships with government departments, including by being involved in solving problems earlier. For example, if we want to solve the issue of connected data and user journeys, we need to look at identity as well.

We are also focused on partnering with the private sector to innovate and open up new markets. Digital identity and the GovTech Catalyst, which links private sector innovators with public sector challenges, are two prime examples of the impact GDS can make in this area.

We need to get this right for people

Digital identity is a vital issue not only for government transformation – as has often been our focus – but also for users who benefit from a safe, effective and  functioning digital economy underpinned by strong digital identity solutions. People will rely on a robust digital identity system in order to access critical services. They also need to know their data is safe and being used in the right way. And they expect a level of simplicity that they can navigate and understand.  

These are things I care deeply about and why I have signed up for this challenge.

Make things open, it makes things better

So far, what I have found in my first month at GDS is:

Critically, I have found that culture in GDS and very much in the Verify team is one of honesty and responsibility, which makes it easy to solve problems quickly and get to the root of issues.  This is not something I take for granted.

Our priorities

We have a lot to deliver in a very short timeframe. Currently we have 3 main areas of focus:

I look forward to being able to share more about our work in the near future.

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