South Africa has become fertile ground for cybercrime. According to a new report by the CSIR, 47% of organisations reported experiencing between one and five cybersecurity incidents in the past year, “underscoring the persistent threat landscape”.
A key recommendation: improve digital identity management and implement robust solutions to protect users online.
A digital identity is an electronic form of identification, including biometric information, that can be used to interact with governments, businesses and other organisations online. It is a key enabler of digital transformation and offers a range of benefits, from improving service delivery to enhancing security.
Imagine a world where a person boarding a flight does not need to present proof of identification at check-in or boarding. Facial recognition or other biometrics software quickly verify a person, and they proceed.
These platforms revolutionise how citizens interact with their government, making services more accessible, efficient and secure. It can also foster greater inclusion, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas.
Consider the case of Fezile.
In a remote village in the Eastern Cape, accessing government services used to be a daunting task for her. The nearest government office was kilometres away, and the journey was both time-consuming and expensive. However, with the introduction of digital identities, Fezile can now access essential services online. She can use her smartphone to apply for and access government grants, and even start a small business, all from the comfort of her home. Having a digital identity could not only have saved her time and money but also empower her to participate more actively in the economy.
From applying for a passport to renewing a driver’s licence, updating address details, accessing government portals and services, and logging into bank accounts, digital IDs can make this a reality.
Andrew Whittaker, MD of Altron Security, offers three main benefits for digital identity.
“It’s instantaneous – a traffic officer can verify your identity, digitally, by tapping your phone, for example. At a nightclub, someone can verify your age digitally. But you don’t have to reveal all your personal information, only reveal what you choose to share.”
Number two, it’s pervasive. Whittaker says an identity should be equally useful within the public sector, allowing access to a wide range of services “from crossing the border, voting and accessing information online, all the way through to being used by the private sector – like having your identity proved at a bank for Fica, or registering a Sim card through Rica.”
Third, “it extends beyond authentication” – a digital identity will allow you to digitally stamp your identity on documents or transactions. That’s where digital signing comes in.
Altron Security has over 20 years of experience working with government, specifically the department of home affairs with its digitisation process.
Boarding flights, or any number of transport modes, and keeping vehicle registrations up to date are just two in a sea of interactions that South Africans go through daily. Simplifying these can save time, money, effort and administration cost, all the while keeping identities safe.
Globally, there is a push to implement efficient digital ID systems.
Examples of successful implementations include Estonia’s e-Residency programme, allowing non-residents to access government services and conduct business online, while India’s Aadhaar system is the world’s largest biometric digital identity programme.
Whittaker says South Africa already has many of the pieces to make such a system happen. For example, the country has one of the highest rates of birth registrations in the world, which can form the foundation of any identity system, especially a digital identity system.
While there are many benefits to implementing digital identities, it’s important to address concerns about privacy, security, and potential exclusion to ensure that these systems are implemented responsibly and ethically.
Guiding digital identity implementation is the concept of citizen identity orchestration. This refers to the process of managing and integrating various digital identity systems and services to provide a seamless and secure experience. Truly realising the benefits of digital identity involves coordinating multiple verification methods. Think of a conductor coordinating various instruments in an orchestra to create a beautiful symphony.
The case for a new way of doing things differently is clear: invest in digital identity infrastructure to unlock the full potential of digital governance and enhance the quality of life for South Africans. The impact of such technology is far-reaching, offering a glimpse into a future where everyone can benefit from the digital economy.
About Altron Security
Altron Security understands that enterprises and their IT teams face incredible challenges from digital transformation, data privacy, remote workforce and insider threats. As the customer, you need a trusted partner that understand the risks and complexities, regulatory compliance, multi-cloud environments, can build security into great customer experience and rethink IT security in a digitally transforming world.
At Altron Security, we know that our pivotal position in the digital identity ecosystem and our collaborative approach with partners means we can find or develop a fit-for-purpose solution for our customers offering next-generation technology solutions.
We deliver holistic security solutions to leading midtier and enterprise companies in South Africa and the broader Africa. We nurture strategic, long-term relationships with leading brands in the banking, financial services, telecommunications and other sectors and hope to welcome you to our growing family of clients.
We were formerly known as Ubusha Technologies and have since acquired LAWtrust to form the Altron Security known today. Altron Security is a proud member of the JSE-listed Altron Group.
This article was first published on TechCentral