Yearly Archives: 2024

Spotlight on Facephi

1. What is the mission and vision of Facephi?

Facephi’s mission is to create seamless, trustworthy digital identity experiences that prioritize security, privacy, and compliance. ​We enable businesses to transform by connecting users to the digital resources they need efficiently and safely—whether as employees, partners, or consumers. Through our advanced identity verification technology, we simplify and secure the access of people ​to essential digital assets and services, ensuring that organizations worldwide can thrive in a digital-first world.

Facephi envisions a future where secure digital identity is at the heart of every interaction, seamlessly linking people, applications, services, and data. We aspire to be the foundation that supports and protects each digital connection, enabling individuals and organizations alike to navigate a secure digital world with assurance and confidence. ​We believe in a future where every identity and every access point is safeguarded by robust, transparent digital identity infrastructure.

2. Why is trustworthy digital identity critical for existing and emerging markets?

In today’s world, digital identity is essential to secure and scalable digital engagement. ​As more sectors—finance, healthcare, travel, and others—move toward online services, secure and trusted digital identity becomes critical. ​

Traditional perimeter-based security models no longer apply effectively, especially with the rise of cloud computing. For this reason, the “”Identity-First Security”” model has emerged as the most viable framework for protecting digital assets. ​
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Our solutions help organizations transition to a robust, decentralized, and identity-centric security model. The convergence of secure authentication, data protection, and privacy compliance represents a necessary paradigm shift, particularly for emerging markets ​where secure and equitable digital access can drive significant economic growth.​

3. How will digital identity transform the Canadian and global economy? How does your organization address challenges associated with this transformation?

Digital identity is a foundational element that powers global digital commerce, enabling access to essential services securely and universally.​ With secure digital identity, both individuals and organizations can engage in borderless business from anywhere in the world. ​Facephi facilitates this transformation by enabling secure identity verification that supports secure digital access at scale. ​As we build identity ecosystems that are interoperable, user-centered, and privacy-respecting, we support the global economy’s digital shift by ensuring seamless and secure interactions across borders. ​This shift has the potential to unlock access to vital services, foster trust across regions, and create an inclusive digital economy.

Facephi addresses the complex challenges of digital identity through an adaptable, interoperable approach to identity management. ​Our technology supports multiple identity roles—Issuer, Holder (Wallet), and Verifier—alongside a Trust Registry, enabling us to provide secure identity solutions at every step. ​We are aligned with standards like mDOC (ISO 18013), W3C Verifiable Credentials, and SD-JWT, ensuring compatibility with global frameworks. ​By focusing on interoperability and secure frameworks, we help organizations establish the trust and scalability needed for broad digital identity adoption. ​Our approach encompasses both the issuance and verification of credentials, combining compliance with innovative solutions to ensure secure, accessible, and user-centered digital identity management.

4. What role does Canada have as a leader in this space?

Canada has an essential role to play as a leader in secure digital identity, supporting ​both regulatory frameworks and technological standards that foster trust and innovation. ​As Canadians increase their reliance on digital services, it is critical to ensure the security and integrity of digital identity systems. ​By establishing standards for trusted digital architecture, Canada can help shape a secure, transparent ecosystem that enables users to control access to their personal information with precision and confidence. ​Canada’s commitment to a trustworthy digital identity infrastructure will set an example globally and drive progress in secure, interoperable identity systems.

5. Why did your organization join the DIACC?

Facephi joined the DIACC to collaborate with leading organizations ​in advancing secure, user-friendly digital identity standards. ​We share DIACC’s commitment to building a trusted framework ​that empowers people, businesses, and governments to interact safely online. ​By participating in DIACC, we contribute to and benefit from a collaborative approach to developing a secure digital identity framework that respects user privacy, ensures interoperability, and promotes innovation.

6. What else should we know about your organization?

Facephi is a global leader in digital identity verification and authentication, providing technology that enables secure, user-friendly access across industries. ​Our platform supports a wide range of digital identity solutions, from secure identity verification and authentication to credential issuance and verification, adhering to standards like OID4VCI for credential issuance and OID4VP for credential presentation. ​Our solutions address interoperability, Trust Frameworks, and compliance with global digital identity standards, providing a robust foundation for organizations pursuing digital transformation. ​Through advanced technology and strategic partnerships, Facephi is shaping the future of secure digital identity and enabling seamless, trusted interactions in an increasingly digital world.

Digitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food – DIACC Special Interest Group Insights

In Fall 2023, the DIACC, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Guelph, launched a Special Interest Group (SIG) focused on enhancing traceability in the agri-food sector through digital tools. The Digitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food SIG convened nearly sixty organizations to discuss how emerging technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and verifiable credentials, can improve transparency and trust across supply chains. Through a series of virtual sessions, stakeholders shared insights on digitization’s role in advancing food traceability and establishing secure data-sharing frameworks.

Download the report here.

DIACC-DTAF-SIG-Report

Strengthening Legal Sector Trust with Digital Verification

By: Joni Brennan, President of DIACC-CCIAN

The recent FINTRAC Special Bulletin on money laundering and sanctions evasion in the legal profession is a clear reminder that safeguarding our financial systems—and upholding security—requires both vigilance and innovation. At the core of these efforts lies a powerful tool: digital verification of client identification. This technology is crucial in preventing the misuse of legal services for illicit activities like money laundering and sanctions evasion.

While most legal professionals work with integrity, the bulletin underscores that a few actors may unwittingly (or intentionally) facilitate financial crime. This crime threatens the integrity of our financial system and erodes the public’s trust in our legal system, where the majority are acting in good faith.

So, where does DIACC fit in? How does digital verification help mitigate these risks?

DIACC’s Role in Strengthening Digital Verification

Our work—anchored in the Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF)—is focused on enabling secure, privacy-respecting digital trust and verification services that support consumers, businesses, and governments. These services are essential in a world where digital interactions are the norm, and ensuring information authenticity is critical to preventing fraud and criminal activities.

The Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF): Supporting Legal Sector Security

One of the most exciting initiatives DIACC has undertaken is the development of the PCTF Law Society Profile. By establishing auditable criteria to mitigate risk and build assurance for client verification, the PCTF Law Society Profile assists legal professionals to select services to verify their clients’ identities, providing evidence of investment in alignment with stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements.

This certification process helps legal professionals choose services one step ahead of fraudsters, ensuring transparency and security as they navigate high-value or high-risk transactions.

As the trusted list of DIACC PCTF Certified Providers grows, DIACC also launched its Member Services Directory, a directory of services offered by DIACC members, certified providers, and applicants. And, let’s face it, digital verification can be hard to explain, so we’ve launched a growing Big Book of Digital Trust Stories. Our Digital Trust Stories explain the mechanics and benefits in simple language to help people and organizations understand the benefits of digital trust and verification. These are just some of the tools DIACC develops to help ensure legal professionals can access the digital trust tools they need.

Addressing Risks in Financial and Legal Transactions

The findings from FINTRAC serve as a call to action. Legal professionals—particularly those involved in high-risk sectors like real estate or corporate structuring—are in a unique position of trust. Digital verification can play a crucial role in mitigating risks by adding layers of security that protect against misuse.

By adopting robust digital client verification solutions, legal professionals can:

  • Mitigate real estate and corporate transaction risks, ensuring transparency around beneficial ownership.
  • Strengthen KYC processes, ensuring that clients are who they claim to be.
  • Safeguard solicitor-client privilege by securing client access to sensitive legal processes.

DIACC and the Path Forward

The need to protect our financial integrity has never been more apparent. DIACC’s commitment, mission, and vision align directly with the challenges identified in the FINTRAC bulletin. Our role is to ensure that digital trust and verification tools are practical, accessible, and secure across industries, particularly in high-risk areas like the legal profession.

We are proud to partner with industries, governments, and professionals who share our vision for a future where transparency, security, and trust are central to every transaction.

DIACC is an open and transparent community of leaders dedicated to one issue: the responsible adoption of digital trust and verification practices.

Contact DIACC to collaborate and build a future where transparency, privacy, security, and trust are at the forefront of every transaction.

Spotlight on VoxMind

1. What is the mission and vision of VoxMind?

At VoxMind, our mission is to revolutionize digital security by providing cutting-edge voice biometrics solutions that protect identities and ensure secure authentication. Our vision is to create a world where identity verification is effortless, secure, and universally trusted—one where your voice is your most secure digital asset. We aim to set the gold standard in voice biometrics, delivering scalable and innovative solutions that address the evolving security needs of individuals and organizations worldwide.

2. Why is trustworthy digital identity critical for existing and emerging markets?

In today’s increasingly digital world, a trustworthy digital identity is crucial for secure transactions, both for established industries and emerging markets. As the global economy becomes more interconnected, consumers and businesses demand frictionless and secure authentication processes. Without trustworthy digital identities, fraud and identity theft risks increase, eroding user confidence. By incorporating secure and scalable biometric solutions like voice authentication, businesses can protect against these threats while delivering seamless customer experiences.

3. How will digital identity transform the Canadian and global economy? How does your organization address the challenges associated with this transformation?

Digital identity will enable a secure, efficient, and inclusive global economy. By ensuring secure access to services, whether financial, healthcare, or government, it can streamline operations, reduce fraud, and increase user trust. At VoxMind, we address challenges like identity fraud, AI-driven threats like deepfakes, and the need for easy-to-use solutions. Our voice biometrics technology offers a future-proof solution that can adapt across industries, safeguarding users while simplifying the digital verification process.

4. What role does Canada have as a leader in this space?

Canada, through organizations like DIACC, plays a pivotal role in shaping global standards for secure digital identity. With its commitment to innovation and inclusivity, Canada is well-positioned to lead in developing scalable, privacy-preserving solutions that can be adopted globally. By collaborating with global partners, Canada can help set the benchmark for interoperable and secure digital ecosystems that benefit both individuals and businesses.

5. Why did your organization join the DIACC?

VoxMind joined DIACC to be part of a visionary network shaping the future of digital identity. By collaborating with DIACC and its members, we aim to contribute to the creation of secure and interoperable identity standards. DIACC’s mandate aligns with our commitment to protecting individual identities in a scalable, secure, and privacy-preserving manner. As a Sustaining Member, we look forward to sharing our voice biometrics expertise and helping build a secure digital identity infrastructure for Canada and beyond.

6. What else should we know about your organization?

VoxMind is pioneering voice biometrics as a secure, convenient, and adaptive identity verification solution. We address modern security threats such as deepfakes and voice cloning while ensuring seamless user experiences across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and IoT. Our technology is designed to be language-agnostic, scalable, and adaptable to evolving security challenges. As we continue to innovate, we are committed to building partnerships that enhance global security and trust in digital identities.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information at contact@voxmind.ai

Spotlight on Docusign

1. What is the mission and vision of Docusign?

Docusign’s mission is to bring agreements to life by accelerating the process of doing business and simplifying people’s lives. With its Docusign IAM platform, Docusign unleashes business-critical data that is trapped inside of documents and disconnected from business systems of record, costing businesses time, money, and opportunity. Using Docusign IAM, companies can create, commit, and manage agreements easily. Focusing on the ‘commit’ capability, where identity verification is more relevant, Docusign’s extensive portfolio of identity verification solutions make it simpler for stakeholders to commit to agreements through advanced, AI-enabled identity verification solutions and multiple levels of authentication. Supporting capabilities such as Phone authentication, ID verification, biometric detection, and FINTRAC-compliant-workflows, not only can signers easily confirm their identities, but senders (i.e. businesses) can also securely capture and store the identity information provided during the agreement completion process. This ensures that all parties are who they claim to be, and agreements are enforceable.

2. Why is trustworthy digital identity critical for existing and emerging markets?

Over the last few years we’ve seen the highest volumes of fraudulent cases ever on record (Cifas, Fraudscape 2024). Therefore, it’s understandable why we’re starting to notice drastically higher levels of regulatory scrutiny, and more requirements being imposed on businesses in terms of introducing strong identity verification methods for digital interactions. This scrutiny isn’t just in mature markets, but also in emerging ones where the rapid-adoption of new technologies that’s accompanying fast-paced growth, is necessitating urgent regulatory oversight. Therefore, having trustworthy digital identity for both existing and emerging markets is essential for secure, efficient, and inclusive digital economics. For emerging-economies specifically, widely available identity verification tools that are easy to use can help promote secure, sustainable and long-term economic growth that ensures equitable access to increasingly digital services.

3. How will digital identity transform the Canadian and global economy? How does your organization address challenges associated with this transformation?

The local and international benefits of digital identities are transformative, in the sense that they can help enhance the security of increasingly digital interactions, improve the efficiency of these interactions, and also make them more accessible across various sectors. For example, the adoption of digital identities can further enhance trust in online interactions, making it easier for consumers to engage in e-commerce transactions. This will likely lead to the expansion of the digital economy in Canada, where secure and convenient online shopping experiences will become safer and, therefore, more adopted. Globally, this could drive the growth of e-commerce, particularly in developing economies where digital identities can securely bridge the gap between offline and online markets. That’s where Docusign’s portfolio of identity verification solutions comes in. Our extensive portfolio offers enhanced signer identification and authentication capabilities built into any agreement workflow, enabling organizations to transact a full range of agreements with increased trust and ease of use.

4. What role does Canada have to play as a leader in this space?

Canada has introduced a series of anti-fraud initiatives that have made a significant impact on combating various forms of fraud across the country (public awareness campaigns, industry collaboration (‘Canadian Bankers Association’s Fraud Prevention Month’), strong legislative frameworks (FINTRAC), etc.). These initiatives have made significant progress in reducing fraud, increasing awareness, and improving recovery efforts locally. By advocating for similar initiatives internationally, Canada can influence the global development of digital identity systems to ensure other countries can reap similar benefits. Through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy, Canada can help ensure that digital identity becomes a force for good in the global economy.

5. Why did your organization join the DIACC?

Focused on securing the online agreement space for everyone, Docusign joined the DIACC to help shape the future of digital identity in Canada and contribute towards developing a more secure, inclusive and beneficial digital agreement ecosystem for its Canadian customers. Being able to collaborate with like-minded industry leaders and drive innovation across the country makes DIACC membership a valuable investment for Docusign.

6. What else should we know about your organization?

Agreements are based on intention and identity: organizations need to be able to trust that signers are who they say they are. The standard practice of verifying a signer’s identity is to send a link to the signer’s email address. But agreement value, sensitivity, business risk, regulation, or legal requirements can drive the need for enhanced identification. The challenge is to deliver stronger verification, while keeping the overall experience user-friendly. That’s where Docusign Identify comes in. Identify provides a portfolio of enhanced signer identification and authentication capabilities built into the agreement workflow, enabling organizations to transact a full range of agreements with increased trust. These solutions include: * ID Verification: FINTRAC-compliant digital identity proofing of participants in agreements workflows via biometric checks such as AI-enabled liveness detection, verification of passports, driver licenses, or permanent resident cards * Phone Authentication: multi-factor authentication via text message or phone call * ID solutions for digital signatures: meet requirements for UK and EU electronic identification, authentication and trust services (eIDAS) compliant Advanced (AES) and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) * Network of trust service solutions: Easy access to our tightly-integrated global network of trust service providers for region-specific compliance To learn more, visit www.docusign.com/en-ca/products/identify

Spotlight on IndyKite

1. What is the mission and vision of IndyKite?

Backed by leading venture firms and based in San Francisco, IndyKite is building a new category of data management and digital identity services by capturing, connecting and controlling data across the enterprise and surrounding ecosystem. With an identity-centric approach to data, IndyKite enables companies to achieve higher trust in their data products, AI and applications with enhanced visibility, data governance and granular access controls. Leveraging knowledge graph technology and machine learning, IndyKite delivers a powerful operational data layer to enable developers with flexible APIs through a growing open-source ecosystem. Learn more at [www.indykite.com](http://www.indykite.com/)

2. Why is trustworthy digital identity critical for existing and emerging markets?

Digital identity is a core enabler of applications and services and will only become more important in the future. Digital identity not only applies to humans, but also to all devices, applications, systems, AI, digital products and even individual data points. Securing these identities is paramount, but even more important, is understanding how they drive and enable user experience, functionality and data mobility across the organization. At IndyKite, we see digital identity as the starting point for enabling businesses to build modern solutions, deliver incredible customer experiences and ensure trustworthy AI.

3. How will digital identity transform the Canadian and global economy? How does your organization address challenges associated with this transformation?

Modern organizations around the world are undermined by siloed data and disconnected identities. The advent of AI tools is increasing pressure for leaders to address data challenges in the organization to ensure future viability. IndyKite enables organizations to capture, connect and control their data in a flexible and dynamic way, to drive better decisions, security, machine learning and AI and solve challenges.

4. What role does Canada have to play as a leader in this space?

Canada holds a place of global influence as a leading voice in many sectors. By pioneering a secure and accessible digital identity framework, Canada has ensured the sustainability of its modern economy into the future and created a blueprint for other nations to follow.

5. Why did your organization join the DIACC?

As digital identity is a an essential part of the future, it needs modern approaches and frameworks that enable innovation, without being restricted by legacy thinking. DIACC is an ideal forum for public and private sector leaders to discuss, design and accelerate these approaches to ensure digital trust into the future.

6. What else should we know about your organization?

Powered by graph technology, the IndyKite platform increases visibility, trust and control of your data. This enables data pipelines to get the right data, to the right place and in the right context to drive enhanced product development and new revenue channels. It also enables the secure sharing of data beyond the bounds of your organization, and better customer journeys with native identity workflows. More details can be found at www.indykite.com

The Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) Written Submission for Pre-Budget Consultations (August 2024)

Submitted by: Joni Brennan, President

August 6, 2024

List of recommendations

  • Recommendation 1: That the government prioritize digital trust in four areas critical to Canada’s leadership and the privacy, security and protection of our people and industries, including:
    • Digital Trust in Citizen Services;
    • Digital Trust in Finance and Regulatory
    • Digital Trust in Public Safety; and
    • Digital Trust in Business and Industry
  • Recommendation 2: That the government recognize the necessity of embracing and prioritizing privacy-protecting verification and authentication tools as part of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy.
  • Recommendation 3: That the government allocate the funding needed to support the adoption of digital trust tools to the benefit of government, businesses, and citizens alike.

Introduction

The spread of misinformation is evolving around the world at a concerning pace. Bad actors are finding new battlegrounds and frontiers every day, and information and images generated by AI are being used to push political agendas and false narratives, scam and steal money and identities, and, even worse, lure online. 

Similarly, AI is also evolving rapidly, with risks as significant as the benefits. Further, now that AI is generative, users can manipulate images and information at unprecedented speed and scale, and vast amounts of inaccurate and malicious information make it difficult for people and organizations to verify information authenticity.

In today’s era of information warfare, authenticity and verification must be prioritized — particularly given the role of digital trust and identity verification in the delivery of government and business services.

Our submission and recommendations reflect the deep experience and expertise of DIACC’s member organizations, and our collective commitment to working with leaders in both the public and private sectors to secure verifiable information authenticity to the benefit of government, industry, and citizens alike by prioritizing inclusive and accessible privacy-protecting digital trust and verification capabilities.

About DIACC

The Digital Identification and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) was created following the federal government’s Task Force for the Payments System Review, with a goal to bring together public and private sector partners in developing a safe and secure digital ecosystem.

DIACC is guided by a belief that our public safety, civic engagement, and economic prosperity depend on leveraging trusted solutions and using well-established risk mitigation and certification tools. DIACC is committed to accelerating digital trust adoption and reducing information authenticity uncertainty by certifying services against its Pan-Canadian Trust Framework — a risk mitigation and assurance framework developed collaboratively by public and private sector experts that signals trustworthy design rooted in security, privacy, inclusivity, accessibility, and accountability.

Recommendations

Recommendation 1: That the government prioritize digital trust in four areas critical to Canada’s leadership and the privacy, security and protection of our people and industries, including:

  • Digital Trust in Citizen Services;
  • Digital Trust in Finance and Regulatory;
  • Digital Trust in Public Safety; and
  • Digital Trust in Business and Industry.

Digital Trust in Citizen Services

DIACC advocates for digital trust in citizen services, emphasizing the importance of secure, privacy-respecting, and user-centric solutions through collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society. Leveraging our collaborative partnerships, we developed the Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF) – a risk mitigation and assurance framework that extends standards and open source code to help service providers ensure risk mitigation and user care.

As public services continue to move online, digital trust and verification services will be critical for ensuring that services are secure and accessible. From online healthcare consultations to digital government services, these technologies provide the necessary security infrastructure to protect public interactions and data.

Through partnerships with organizations such as DIACC, the government is encouraged to prioritize innovation in digital trust technologies through pilot projects, research, and education. Collaboration with various sectors will ensure the development and implementation of secure, efficient, inclusive, and accessible digital trust solutions, fostering a reliable digital ecosystem for accessing healthcare, banking, and government services.

Digital Trust in Finance and Regulatory

Canadians benefit from being a highly banked jurisdiction with broad inclusivity and accessibility – according to the Canadian Bankers Association, approximately 99 per cent of Canadian adults have a bank account.

Existing financial regulations provide powerful and internationally recognized tools that act as a solid foundation to fight fraud and foster a more verified, authentic, and trustworthy ecosystem that supports the needs of people, governments, and businesses alike. However, the government is encouraged to build on the existing regulatory framework and develop new regulations to facilitate secure digital transactions, including compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations.

Further, digital trust and verification services will be critical as the government moves forward with its commitments to open-banking, with interoperability also being paramount as the federal framework and existing provincial frameworks work together.

Similarly, the government has committed to reducing incidents of mortgage fraud and strengthening proof of borrower and title insurance, and digital trust and verification services can and should play a critical role in making that commitment a reality.

Digital Trust in Public Safety

DIACC believes that implementing digital trust and verification services are essential for enhancing public safety. Digital verification can play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

By ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive areas such as schools, healthcare facilities, and care homes, digital trust services can help safeguard these groups from potential harm. Further, digital trust and verification services enable secure and reliable cross-border identity verification, facilitating international collaboration in law enforcement, disaster response, and public health.

By prioritizing advanced authentication methods that ensure individuals and organizations are who they claim to be, we can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and critical infrastructure, minimize financial scams and misuse of personal data, and enhance public safety for all Canadians.

Digital Trust in Business and Industry

Enhanced security is a primary benefit of digital trust and verification services for businesses and industries. These services provide robust security measures that protect businesses from fraud, identity theft, and cyber threats. Ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive information and resources, these services help maintain the integrity of business operations.

By prioritizing digital trust in business and industry and implementing authentication and verification tools, the government can help drive the following benefits:

  • streamlined business processes by automating identity verification and reducing the need for manual checks;
  • faster, more efficient operations and reduced administrative costs, allowing businesses to allocate resources more effectively;
  • data minimization and the secure handling of personal information, increasing customer confidence;
  • a competitive advantage for Canadian businesses by helping them innovate and offer their customers new, secure digital services; and
  • a reduction in incidents of fraud, resulting in significant cost savings for businesses. These savings can be reinvested into other business areas, driving growth and innovation and improving overall business performance.

Recommendation 2: That the government recognize the necessity of embracing and prioritizing verification and authentication tools as part of its AI strategy.

In today’s world, where AI is becoming smarter every day, and information can be generated and manipulated at unprecedented speed and scale, ensuring the accuracy and trustworthiness of information is critical. It is vital to maximize the benefits of an AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)-fueled data ecosystem for Canada while also fostering citizen trust and protecting their safety.

To effectively address the challenges we’re facing while realizing the benefits of AI, the federal government should prioritize verification and authentication tools as part of its broader AI strategy. Prioritization must include funding, collaboration, and urgent action to support the development, adoption and certification of tools that verify information authenticity while protecting privacy and empowering Canadians. Governments, banks, telcos, tech companies, media organizations, and civil society must work together to deploy open, standards-based solutions and services to verify the authenticity of information.

The economic imperative of investing in these capabilities is clear. According to a study by Deloitte, the Canadian economy could unlock an additional 7 per cent (CAD $7 trillion) in economic value through AI and AGI technologies. People and organizations can only realize this potential for the good of society by investing in tools, processes, and policies that support verifying the authenticity of the information generated and processed by AI and AGI technologies.

Recommendation 3: That the government allocate the funding needed to support the adoption of digital trust tools to the benefit of government, businesses, and citizens alike.

Today, solutions can signal verified trust by getting certified against a technology-neutral risk and assurance framework like DIACC’s Pan-Canadian Trust Framework, developed collaboratively by public and private sector experts.

Verifiable information authenticity relies on critical principles, including provenance and traceability: provenance establishes the origin and history of information, ensuring it comes from a reliable source, while traceability allows for audibility of the flow of information, enabling people, businesses, and governments to verify its accuracy and authenticity. These principles are essential in combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation, which can have far-reaching consequences in an AI-fueled world.

Provenance and traceability are potent information authenticity tools that can help:

  • businesses and professionals reduce liabilities and meet obligations to verify information about their clients and their operations;
  • citizens and residents interact securely and efficiently with governments;
  • customers and clients transact with privacy and security anywhere, anytime;
  • industries manage decision-making and securely supply chains using trusted data;
  • producers verify essential data related to environmental, safety, and operational goals and
  • creators track intellectual property to ensure fair payment and cultural protection.

Conclusion

Our public safety, civic engagement, and economic prosperity depend on leveraging trusted solutions, well-established risk mitigation and certification tools, and powerful collaboration to ensure regulations set informed guardrails that put people’s benefits, protections and agency to control data at the center of the design. The evolving AI-fueled information landscape presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities for innovation and progress. By prioritizing verifiable information authenticity, inclusive and accessible solutions,  and investing in digital trust, we can ensure that people and organizations realize the benefits of AI and AGI while mitigating its risks

Thank you once again for the opportunity to provide our input in advance of Budget 2025 and as we collectively move forward on the path to a digitally and economically prosperous Canada.

DIACC Unveils New Board of Directors to Champion Digital Trust and Verification in Canada and the Global Digital Economy

Toronto, Ontario – August 6, 2024: DIACC is thrilled to announce the appointment of its Board of Directors following the recent election at DIACC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 27, 2024, where renowned leaders and visionaries from various sectors converged.

“On behalf of the DIACC Board, I am thrilled to welcome our newly elected and re-elected board members,” said Dave Nikolejsin, Chair of the DIACC Board. Their expertise and dedication are invaluable as we advance digital trust in the global digital economy. We will continue to work together to advance a secure, efficient, privacy-respecting, and inclusive digital ecosystem.”

The new and returning Directors bring fresh perspectives and experience-based commitment to DIACC’s mission. Their leadership will help the council ensure its initiatives align with and influence standards and practices that mitigate security and privacy risks. DIACC’s leadership works collaboratively to support a more inclusive, secure, and efficient global digital economy that benefits people and organizations of all sizes.

This diverse group of leaders joins DIACC’s esteemed roster of Directors, bringing together a wealth of expertise and collective experience crucial in guiding and shaping the future of digital trust, verification, and privacy protection.

DIACC Board of Directors:

  • Chair: Dave Nikolejsin, Independent, Strategic Advisor with McCarthy Tetrault
  • Vice-Chair: Jonathan Cipryk, Vice President & Head of Technology Functions, Manulife *
  • Treasurer: Andre Boysen, Independent 
  • Manish Agarwal, Chief Information Officer, Government of Ontario *
  • Neil Butters, Vice President & Head of Product Architecture, Interac Corp *
  • Mike Cook, CEO, Identos
  • Balraj Dhillon, General Manager of Product Platforms and Channels, Canada Post
  • Giselle D’Paiva, Digital Identity Leader, Government and Public Sector, Deloitte
  • Erin Hardy, General Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer, Service New Brunswick *
  • Hesham Fahmy, Chief Information Officer, TELUS
  • Marie Jordan, Senior Director Global Standards Management, VISA
  • Jonathan Kelly, Assistant Deputy Minister for Government Digital Transformation, Province of Quebec
  • Karan Puri, Associate Vice President, TD Bank *
  • CJ Ritchie, Associate Deputy Minister and Government Chief Information Officer, Province of BC
  • Pierre Roberge, Independent

* Indicates newly appointed.

The DIACC Board of Directors works closely with public and private sectors, academia, and civil society stakeholders to foster collaboration, reduce uncertainty, and accelerate the adoption of trustworthy services in the digital services ecosystem.

DIACC is confident that its Board of Directors collective insights and strategic direction will drive significant progress in the digital trust and verification space. Their dedication to fostering innovation and trust in digital services is invaluable as we work towards a future where secure and reliable digital identities are accessible to everyone.

“On behalf of the DIACC Board, I am thrilled to welcome our newly elected and re-elected board members,” said Dave Nikolejsin, Chair of the DIACC Board. “Their expertise and dedication are invaluable as we advance digital trust in the global digital economy. We will continue to work together to advance a secure, efficient, privacy-respecting, and inclusive digital ecosystem.”

“Being re-elected to the DIACC Board of Directors and serving as Vice-Chair is a tremendous honour. It allows me to support identity trust in Canada during these times of rapid technological advancements,” said Jonathan Cipryk, Vice President & Head of Technology Functions at Manulife. “I will use my expertise in technology and security to foster collaboration and drive programs that benefit our community. Together, we can build a future where identity trust and privacy empower individuals and strengthen our digital economy.” 

About the DIACC:

Established in 2012, the DIACC is a non-profit coalition of public and private sector organizations committed to advancing digital trust adoption through initiatives that inform and validate private sector services, enable privacy-protecting trusted exchanges between private and public sector authorities, and foster a robust ecosystem. DIACC enhances global economic prosperity by promoting digital trust, tools and services that verify information about individuals and organizations while protecting privacy.


For inquiries, please contact: communications@diacc.ca

The DIACC releases its Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF) Authentication Final Recommendation V1.2

Canada’s digital trust leader, the DIACC, releases its Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF) Authentication Final Recommendation V1.2, signalling it’s ready for inclusion in their Certification Program.

Why is the PCTF Authentication component important?

The Authentication component helps assure the on-going integrity of login and authentication processes by certifying, through a process of assessment, that they comply with standardized Conformance Criteria. The Conformance Criteria for this component may be used to provide assurances that Trusted Processes result in the representation of a unique Subject at a Level of Assurance that it is the same Subject with each successful login to an Authentication Service Provider while also providing assurances concerning the predictability and continuity in the login processes that they offer or on which they depend.

What problems does the PCTF Authentication component solve?

The Authentication component helps establish a standardized way for individuals and organizations to verify their identities when accessing digital services. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches. Additionally, by providing a reliable method for authentication, this allows the PCTF to foster trust and confidence among users, service providers, and stakeholders. This is crucial for the widespread adoption of digital services.

Who does the PCTF Authentication component help?

All participants will benefit from login and authentication processes that are repeatable and consistent (whether they offer these processes, depend on them, or both). It can help lay the foundation to provide assurances that identified Users can engage in authorized interactions with remote systems. When combined with considerations from the PCTF Wallet Component, participants may have an enhanced user experience through the reuse of credentials across multiple Relying Parties.

Relying Parties can benefit from the ability to build on the assurance that Authentication Trusted Processes uniquely identify, at an acceptable level of risk, a Subject in their application or program space.

Find the PCTF Authentication component here.

OIX and DIACC join forces to move digital trust and verification interoperability forward

Open Identity Exchange (OIX) and DIACC commit to finding alignment for global policies on digital trust and verification.

UK, June 2024 – The global non-profit Open Identity Exchange (OIX) and the Canadian non-profit Digital ID Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) have committed to working together to advance global digital interoperability – a crucial element for trusted, successful international trade in a rapidly advancing digital global economy.

OIX is an influential global community for all those involved in the ID sector to connect and collaborate, developing the thought leadership and guidance needed to enable interoperable, trusted identities carried seamlessly from place to place in ‘roaming wallets’ for everyone. DIACC is an equally influential community of public and private sector leaders committed securing inclusive digital economy benefits by promoting user-centric design principles and verifying private sector services against the Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF) to support a secure ecosystem of services to enable user-directed information verification between public and private sector data authorities.

The two organisations will explore how different country-based policies related to identity management, verification, security, data privacy innovation and approaches to digital identity assurance can be compared and analysed so that more rapid progress can be made towards global digital ID interoperability through alignment of policy or acceptance of policy differences.

The collaboration will focus on advancing methods for participants in one framework to accept identity verification and digital credentials verified through another trust framework based on a mixture of policy acceptance and technology adaption. DIACC and OIX will explore equivalency and interoperability processes, identify potential alignments, new standards required, and gaps that may need to be addressed, and highlight use cases that can be facilitated through interoperability across digital ecosystems. Within this work, they will explore methods to describe common features of jurisdictional and sectoral trust frameworks, and share insights widely available as a resource.

The exchange and transfer of knowledge and expertise will be at the heart of this collaboration. OIX and DIACC will work together to create ‘intellectual capital’ to shape debate and bring about actions, moving identity management, data privacy, and security forward at pace.

Nick Mothershaw, Chief Identity Strategist at OIX, said: “The benefits of the digital global economy will be vast, but there is still some way to go before everyone can confidently access them. Our collaboration with DIACC will play a critical role. The fantastic progress DIACC has already made across Canada is an exemplar for global interoperability and will provide much needed insight, tools and guidance to pave a much clearer way forward globally.

“Our plans are to share our work with other trust frameworks across the globe, by publishing the criteria and values, and in the short-term creating an interim tool for trust frameworks to use for policy areas. We also want to secure their input on what they want to see in Trust Framework Comparison tool, as well as to start demonstrating how a roaming wallet will work.”

Joni Brennan, DIACC President, said: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Open Identity Exchange. The formalization of our liaison demonstrates progress in supporting our shared values to advance secure, user-centric digital identity solutions globally. Our collaboration will leverage each organization’s expertise to explore opportunities to foster innovation, enhance interoperability, and build public trust in digital services by identifying the alignments and gaps between jurisdictional and sectoral trust frameworks.”

For more information, please contact Serj Hallam at communications@openidentityexchange.org 

About The Open Identity Exchange (OIX)

The OIX is a non-profit trade organisation on a mission to create a world where everyone can prove their identity and eligibility anywhere through a universally trusted ID. OIX is a community for all those involved in the ID sector to connect and collaborate, developing the guidance needed for inter-operable, trusted identities. Through our definition of, and education on Trust Frameworks, we create the rules, tools and confidence that will allow every individual a trusted, universally accepted, identity.

About The Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC)

The Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) is a not-for-profit corporation of Canada that benefits from membership of public and private sector leaders committed to developing a trust framework to enable Canada’s full and secure participation in the global digital economy. DIACC’s objective is to unlock economic opportunities for consumers and businesses by providing the framework to develop a robust, secure, scalable and privacy-enhancing digital identification and authentication ecosystem that will decrease costs for governments, consumers, and businesses while improving service delivery and driving GDP growth.

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