Clear DefinitionseIDAS Credential
2 min read
Pronunciation
[ee-ahy-das kri-den-shuhl]
Analogy
Think of an eIDAS credential like an official, EU-recognized digital ID card or a specific certified skill on that card (like a 'digital driver's license proof'). Your national eID card allows you to prove who you are online across EU borders. With the new EU Digital Identity Wallet, you will have various 'digital certificates' (credentials) for things like your age, qualifications, or permits, all recognized under eIDAS rules.
Definition
An eIDAS credential refers to a digital means of identification or an electronic attestation of attributes issued under the framework of the EU's eIDAS regulation. This can include notified national electronic identification (eID) schemes for authentication, or attributes and attestations that are part of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW) as per eIDAS 2.0.
Key Points Intro
eIDAS credentials are digital proofs of identity or attributes recognized within the EU legal framework for secure electronic interactions.
Key Points
Proof of Identity/Attributes: Digitally represents identity information or specific characteristics of a person or entity.
EU-Recognized Standards: Issued and managed according to the eIDAS regulation's requirements for security and interoperability.
Facilitates Secure Transactions: Used for authentication to online services, electronic signatures, and other trust services.
Evolving with EUDIW: The European Digital Identity Wallet will enable citizens to store and share various eIDAS-compliant credentials securely.
Example
A user's national eID card from an EU member state, when used for online authentication to a government portal in another EU country, acts as an eIDAS credential. Under eIDAS 2.0, a student might receive a verifiable diploma as a Qualified Electronic Attestation of Attributes (QEAA) in their European Digital Identity Wallet, which they can then present to a potential employer as legally recognized proof of their qualification.
Technical Deep Dive
Existing eIDAS credentials often rely on notified national eID schemes which can use various technologies (smartcards, mobile apps). The European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW) introduced by eIDAS 2.0 will support Person Identification Data (PID) and Qualified Electronic Attestations of Attributes (QEAA). These credentials will leverage cryptographic techniques, possibly including standards related to Verifiable Credentials (VCs), and are designed for user control and selective disclosure. Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs) will play a key role in issuing and verifying QEAAs.
Security Warning
The security of eIDAS credentials depends on the security of the issuing processes, the underlying technology (e.g., smartcard, mobile device security), and the user's diligence in protecting their authentication factors. Forged or stolen credentials can lead to identity theft and fraud.
Caveat
The full implementation and widespread adoption of newer eIDAS credentials, particularly those associated with the EUDIW, are ongoing. Ensuring user privacy, control, security, and interoperability across all member states and diverse use cases are significant challenges being addressed.
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