Federal, State, and local governments provide various forms of identification (drivers license, social security numbers, military ID, etc...). Why not provide free (or for only a relatively small fee) digitial identification in the form of individual and organizational X.509 certificates. The government would act as the CA for these certificates.
Mass certification might encourage increased ease-of-use in "secure" clients. Routine use of encryption and digital signatures, while not full-proof (especially depending on the quality of implementation), would be a big step towards better on-line security for both companies and individuals.
Authenticating its citizens seems like a natural role for a government.
Of course, the Verisigns of the world would oppose this because it would amount to institutionalized competition.
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Mass certification might encourage increased ease-of-use in "secure" clients. Routine use of encryption and digital signatures, while not full-proof (especially depending on the quality of implementation), would be a big step towards better on-line security for both companies and individuals.
Authenticating its citizens seems like a natural role for a government.
Of course, the Verisigns of the world would oppose this because it would amount to institutionalized competition.