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US Gov't To Issue Secure Online IDs

Posted by Soulskill on from the you-can-trust-us dept.

Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes "Tom Groenfeldt reports in Forbes that the U.S. Postal Service has awarded a contract to SecureKey to implement the Federal Cloud Credential Exchange (FCXX) designed to enable individuals to securely access online services at multiple federal agencies — such as health benefits, student loan information, and retirement benefit information — without the need to use a different password or other digital identification for each service. SecureKey already operates a trusted identity service in Canada using identification keys provided by one of five participating Canadian banks. It allows Canadians to connect with 120 government programs online with no additional user names or passwords for everything from benefits queries to fishing licenses. The SecureKey program is designed to connect identity providers — such as banks, governments, healthcare organizations, and others — with consumers' favorite online services though a cloud-based broker service. The platform allows identity providers and online services to integrate once, reducing the integration and business complexity otherwise incurred in establishing many-to-many relationships."

6 of 205 comments (clear)

  1. Super Timing by mtrachtenberg · · Score: 4, Funny

    The United States government has never had better timing! I'd sign up now, but I figure you guys have got it covered already, OK?

    1. Re:Super Timing by Nrrqshrr · · Score: 2, Funny

      A single key for the Lord Obama, in the land of the NSA where the shadows lie. One Key to rule them all, one Key to find them. One Key to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

    2. Re:Super Timing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      at least if it were a sign on we could end trolls

      We'll all miss you.

    3. Re:Super Timing by lightknight · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's cool, they're going to beta it with a key with a chip in it, but by the time the public uses it, it'll just be a barcode that they stamp on your forehead or right hand.

      Kind of looks like three sixes, but I'm sure that's just a coincidence.

      --
      I am John Hurt.
  2. Better Acronym by PincushionMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    What a terrible acronym! How are we supposed to say FCXX anyway?

    So, I came up with a better one for them:
    Federal User Credential Keyfob (for Your Online Utopia)

    1. Re:Better Acronym by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 3, Funny

      What a terrible acronym! How are we supposed to say FCXX anyway?

      So, I came up with a better one for them:

      Federal User Credential Keyfob (for Your Online Utopia)

      In Capitalist America, government FCXX you?