National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace

This draft report describes how to implement the "Identity ecosystem" that aims to create options for enhanced online security and privacy. Identities would remain secret, but information necessary for certain transactions would be revealed. Since the creation of online IDs is in debate right now, the identity ecosystem offers a potential alternative that would may the internet safer while still protecting anonymity and internet freedoms. However, the ecosystem has not been implemented and may cause more damage than good. One must weigh the pros and cons to any form of online identification. The ecosystem is voluntary, but for that very reason, may not be that effective against hacking or other cyber attacks.

Many policymakers and government leaders advocate for Internet IDs, but activist groups believe creating IDs violates the freedom of speech. Protecting Internet anonymity and freedom of speech is one of the largest debates with policy and lawmakers in the United States. Creating an Identity Ecosystem is controversial and calls for public opinion.

Howard Schmidt and Marc Rotenberg have two different opinions about Internet IDs. Schmidt advocates the ecosystem, while Marc Rotenberg criticizes its ethics and effectiveness. Both speeches are in the Education Directory. and the Policymaker Directory.

Howard A. Schmidt (National cybersecurity coordinator)