What are the EU’s ISO Standards and Regulations for Digital Identity Verification?

In the European Union (EU), digital identity verification is primarily governed by the eIDAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 910/2014). This regulation establishes a framework for electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions within the internal market. It ensures that electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, and other trust services are recognized across all EU member states, facilitating secure and seamless electronic interactions.

In the European Union (EU), EU-specific regulations and international standards, particularly those developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), guide digital identity verification. These standards provide frameworks and guidelines to ensure secure and interoperable identity management systems.

Building upon eIDAS, the EU is advancing the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Regulation, which aims to create a universal, trustworthy, and secure digital identity wallet for citizens and businesses. This initiative seeks to provide individuals with full control over their data when accessing online services and minimize unnecessary data sharing. The EUDI Wallet will be available across the EU for accessing both public and private digital services, enhancing interoperability and user convenience.

ISO Standards Relevant to Digital Identity Verification:

ISO/IEC 24760 Series: This series offers a comprehensive framework for identity management:

• Part 1: Terminology and Concepts: Defines essential terms and concepts related to identity management.
• Part 2: Reference Architecture and Requirements: Provides guidelines for implementing identity management systems and specifies requirements for their operation.
• Part 3: Practice: Focuses on practical aspects of identity management implementation.

ISO/IEC 29115: Establishes entity authentication assurance frameworks, detailing levels of assurance and guidelines for authentication in identity management.

ISO/IEC 29003: Specifies requirements for identity proofing and verification, ensuring that entities are accurately identified within digital systems.

ISO/IEC 29100 provides a privacy framework that outlines safeguarding considerations and principles for personally identifiable information (PII) in information technology systems.

These ISO standards are designed to be globally applicable and are often integrated into the EU’s regulatory framework to enhance the security and interoperability of digital identity verification processes. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has analysed these standards to support the implementation of secure digital identity frameworks within the EU.

By aligning with these ISO standards, the EU aims to ensure that digital identity verification processes are robust, secure, and interoperable across member states, fostering trust in electronic transactions.

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