Managing multiple and dependable identities

Abstract

Digital management of multiple robust identities is a crucial issue in developing the next generation of distributed applications. Our daily activities increasingly rely on remote resources and services - specifically, on interactions between different, remotely located parties. Because these parties might (and sometimes should) know little about each other, digital identities - electronic representations of individuals' or organizations' sensitive information - help introduce them to each other and control the amount of information transferred. In its broadest sense, identity management encompasses definitions and life-cycle management for digital identities and profiles, as well as environments for exchanging and validating such information. Digital identity management - especially support for identity dependability and multiplicity - is crucial for building and maintaining trust relationships in today's globally interconnected society. We investigate the problems inherent in identity management, emphasizing the requirements for multiplicity and dependability. We enable a new generation of advanced MDDI services on the global information infrastructure.