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Digital Identity Lifecycle

The series of stages involved in the creation, management, and eventual retirement of digital identities for non-human entities.

Description

The Digital Identity Lifecycle refers to the comprehensive process that covers all aspects of managing digital identities for non-human identities (NHIs), such as IoT devices, virtual agents, and software applications. This lifecycle includes several key stages: creation, where the identity is established and attributes are assigned; registration, where the identity is authenticated and verified; usage, where the identity interacts with systems and other entities; and maintenance, which involves monitoring and updating the identity as required by changing contexts or needs. Finally, the lifecycle concludes with retirement, where the identity is deactivated or deleted when it is no longer needed or relevant. Effective management of the Digital Identity Lifecycle is crucial to ensure security, compliance, and operational efficiency, especially as NHIs proliferate in various sectors such as smart cities, healthcare, and industrial automation. Proper oversight of these identities helps mitigate risks such as unauthorized access and data breaches.

Examples

  • An IoT sensor that tracks environmental conditions and has a unique digital identity for data reporting.
  • A virtual assistant that interacts with users and has a defined digital identity to maintain context and user preferences.

Additional Information

  • Digital identities for NHIs can include attributes like ownership, permissions, and usage history.
  • The lifecycle management of NHIs is increasingly important as regulatory frameworks evolve around data privacy and security.

References