A digital identity (ID) is the electronic validation of an individual's identity similar to a physical ID card.
A digital ID can be presented electronically to verify an individual's identity in order to access information or services online. The Digital ID Framework is a combination of systems and electronic artifacts that securely and conveniently allows the State to verify individuals’ identities to determine benefits eligibility, access to government services, and to distribute benefits to eligible individuals.
About the Digital ID Framework
CDT leads the development, implementation, administration, and management of the California Digital ID Framework — a collection of data, technology infrastructure, digital services, and governance that allows for digital identity and program eligibility verification. As per the authority of the State CIO and State CTIO, CDT is building both the technology supporting this framework as well as policy, guidance, and governance to empower other State departments to use it to enhance their own digital service offerings.
The Framework is built around statewide technology and digital strategies and founded on four key principles:
- World-class security
- Privacy-by-Design
- Access, and Equity
- Openness, and Transparency
Benefits
There are many benefits to digital identification. We’ve highlighted the top five benefits we believe will help you the most.
- A faster and more secure way for residents to receive necessary services, benefits, and information.
- The identity gateway creates trust between residents and their government by ensuring that the information flows are secure and that no one stores more personally identifiable information than is strictly necessary.
- The gateway leverages globally recognized standards with a preference towards open-source software, making the solution easy to scale.
- The technical architecture of the gateway creates flexibility for both the State and identity providers, allowing Digital ID services to easily scale with the diversity of use cases state and local agencies deal with.
- The modular design of the gateway allows for the flexibility for State departments to build benefits and services in the way that best meets their mission objectives.
How it works
CDT along with other state agencies are striving to help create a better future for Californian’s and beyond. With a digital wallet and IDs, Californians can gain access to services, without carrying extra items on their person, like:
- State-park passes
- State-issued professional licenses (i.e., cosmetology, fishing)
- Vaccine records
- Transit passes with embedded discounts
- Electric vehicle charger access
- Mobile driver's license (mDL)
The diagram below demonstrates single-sign-on (aka SSO), privacy and fraud controls in a centralized and interoperable system, built on the California Identity Gateway, and accessible from several distinct agencies. This is an opt-in service provided to residents. As illustrated in the diagram, individuals are able to access digital state services, benefits or records by going through our identity gateway and using the applicable provider to share their identifying and eligibility information. Once verified by the respective state department, the individual is able to use their service or benefit, such as by adding it to their digital wallet of choice.
CA Digital ID Framework
