This past June, global thought leaders and practitioners in digital identity and trust gathered at Trust Square for the Digital Identity unConference Europe (DICE) 2024. DICE 2024 explored how to foster an interconnected “ecosystem of trust” spanning multiple industries. Over three days, participants delved into topics such as authentic data, verifiable proofs, and practical, business-ready solutions that move the concept of trust beyond simple identification.
This event, organized in partnership with DIDAS and IIW, showcased the strength of collaboration as a catalyst for innovation in digital trust.
In a keynote address, Bundesrat Beat Jans, head of the Swiss Federal Office of Justice and a driving force behind Switzerland’s new e-ID initiative, outlined the nation’s progress. Switzerland is crafting a secure yet technology-neutral digital identity framework that will adapt smoothly to future advancements.
Under parliamentary review, the new e-ID law outlines a trust infrastructure without prescribing specific technical components. This approach gives identity issuers freedom in choosing solutions while ensuring that the final ecosystem remains stable, future-proof, and responsive to market innovations.
Switzerland’s careful balancing act prioritizes both security and accessibility. Initially, the Swiss government will release an open-source wallet to ensure transparency and trust in the system. Alongside this, the government plans to collaborate with the OpenWallet Foundation and promote open hardware crypto processors, underscoring a commitment to digital sovereignty and global standards.
DICE 2024 shed light on an essential insight: digital identity alone isn’t enough. The real economic value emerges from cultivating robust, trustworthy ecosystems that leverage verifiable credentials, authentic data, and advanced proofs. These building blocks enable industries from healthcare and finance to logistics to streamline their operations, protect against fraud, and improve consumer confidence.
For instance, verifiable credentials can confirm professional qualifications in real time, or trusted data streams can ensure supply chain integrity. DICE participants stressed that well-defined governance structures are critical. Sound frameworks ensure that all parties (businesses, regulators, and consumers) can rely on these ecosystems, unlocking greater security, efficiency, and scalability.
By transforming trust from an abstract concept into tangible outcomes, DICE 2024 highlighted how trust ecosystems directly benefit the bottom line:
• Fraud Reduction: Robust verification mechanisms limit financial losses due to fraudulent activities.
• Streamlined Compliance: Automated, trust-based checks reduce the administrative burden of KYC and AML processes.
• Efficiency Gains: Faster, more secure verifications enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
• Market Expansion: Secure environments encourage businesses to enter new markets and industries once hindered by trust issues.
• Innovation Stimulation: Open standards invite the development of interoperable, more innovative solutions.
Connecting trust-building efforts with clear economic advantages ensures that digital identity and trust initiatives resonate with both business leaders and policymakers.
DICE’s open, co-creative format enabled participants to shape the agenda, focusing on concrete challenges and opportunities. Sessions addressed:
• Interoperability: Ensuring cross-border, cross-platform compatibility for seamless global transactions.
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Harnessing privacy-preserving verification methods.
• Authentic Data Sharing: Applying verifiable credentials in sectors like healthcare and finance.
• User-Centric Solutions: Ensuring accessibility across devices and for users at all levels of tech adoption.
• Governance and Standards: Establishing clear, reliable frameworks for public-private collaboration.
These conversations underscored the need for technology to meet genuine user needs, supported by robust governance and forward-thinking standards.
Building on the success of 2024, DICE will have two key events next year:
• Focus on deploying verifiable credentials and authentic data across business ecosystems.
• Forge partnerships and develop cross-sector adoption strategies.
• Create production-ready use cases that showcase tangible value.
• Deep dives into core technologies and frameworks shaping digital identity and trust.
• Open Space format for dynamic, participant-driven agendas.
• Exploration of privacy-preserving solutions, global standards, and inclusive governance.
As the digital trust landscape evolves, one truth remains: innovation and collaboration are critical. DICE will continue to guide the conversation, focusing on actionable strategies that yield secure, scalable, and inclusive solutions. With each step forward, we come closer to a future where robust digital trust frameworks empower businesses, governments, and individuals alike.
For more information on DICE events, insights, and community opportunities, visit the DICE official website. We invite everyone to join us as we build a trustworthy digital future together.
Our sponsors keep conference fees accessible for all, supporting the virtual platform, open conference format, and participant meals. If you’re interested in joining this growing community of supporters, please contact Marc Hauser or Viola Bhattarai.
Originally posted on didas.swiss.