Events , Identity & Access Management , RSA Conference

The Evolution of Identity Verification

In the online world, knowing and trusting who you are interacting with has been a problem for decades. When it comes to assessing the state of identity verification, "we certainly have a lot of problems to address," according to identity expert Jeremy Grant of Venable.

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"We're having a bit of a crisis right now in terms of the breakdown of identity verification systems and how easy it is for cybercriminals, fraudsters, organized criminals or hostile nation-states to exploit deficiencies in the way that we do identity verification to steal lots of money and lots of data," he said.

Grant believes a coordinated approach is needed in the United States to close the gap between physical and digital credentials. He is encouraged by the language used in the recently published U.S. national cybersecurity strategy's pledge to support the development of a digital identity ecosystem and enhance digital identity solutions.

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group at RSA Conference 2023, Grant discusses:

• The current state of identity verification;
• The problem with the California Delete Act;
• Whether the U.S. national cybersecurity strategy sufficiently addresses identity.

Grant was the founding leader of the National Program Office for the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace and senior executive adviser for identity management at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He led the White House's initiative to catalyze a marketplace of secure, easy-to-use, privacy-enhancing identity solutions for online services through government and private sector partnerships.