FIDO Alliance introduces new government membership

The FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance has introduced a new class of membership for government agencies in which they can actively participate in the development of FIDO standards.

The new government membership program was designed to appease government agencies looking to engage more directly with the FIDO Alliance, as well as represent government’s particular interests in securing cyberspace with FIDO authentication.

U.S. (United States NSTIC/NIST) and UK (United Kingdom Office of the Cabinet) governments are the first to join as Government Class members.

“As part of our ongoing effort to move the world away from passwords and to stronger forms of authentication, the FIDO Alliance is broadening its membership classes to include a FIDO Government Class membership,” said Dustin Ingalls, president of the FIDO Alliance. “This will enable governments around the world to contribute their unique needs and perspectives to the next developments in FIDO standards.

“We welcome our first government members and look forward to increased participation in this new membership class. We look forward to working with them to develop universal standards for strong authentication that are more secure, private, and easier-to-use than passwords.”

NIST, which houses the National Program Office for implementing the NSTIC, said it is committed to bringing stronger authentication to individuals.

“The fact that FIDO has now welcomed government participation is a logical and exciting step toward further advancement of the Identity Ecosystem; we look forward to continued progress,” said Mike Garcia, acting director of the NSTIC NPO.

Previously reported, Intel Corporation joined the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance and has been appointed to the organization’s board of directors.

Article Topics

biometric authentication  |  biometrics  |  FIDO Alliance  |  government  |  NIST  |  NSTIC