JISC

Following a strategy forum on identity management and data sharing in the public sector organized by the Oxford Internet Institute in June 2008, the final report for the day is now available. This event and the composition of the report were in part funded by JISC, in collaboration with other public sector bodies addressing identity and data sharing.

Summary

There is wide agreement that members of the public need secure methods of identification vis-à-vis government in order to access many public services. Its accomplishment, however, raises challenging questions:

• Should there be a general identifier?
• How are lines drawn for information sharing among agencies, and where should permissions stop?
• How could decision-makers give citizens an effective consenting right in the treatment of personal data?
• What are the best mechanisms for accountability to the public? 

Among many points emerging from the discussion, the following stood out: For a national identity card, a key question was how such a card would be used. In different combinations, three main technical models could offer a continuum of choices to suit various information-sharing needs and data protection requirements across the public sector. Public-private partnerships could help bring investment in and drive uptake of an identity infrastructure. Whatever the policies, accountability to citizens should be a primary concern. 

Webcast

There was a public panel preceding the forum, which was chaired by Jonathan Bamford of the Information Commissioner's Office, with a keynote by Sir David Normington, the permanent secretary at the Home Office. 
 
Webcast of public panel and Q&A

Report available electronically only. Read final report below.