Microsoft Integrates Privacy and Open Standards to Enable Higher Education Federated Identity

This week, I am attending the InCommon CAMP in Raleigh, NC.  There are lots of colleges and universities of all sizes represented at the CAMP.  Each of them are all exploring and furthering the benefits of federated identity standards and technologies.  I would encourage more schools and universities to begin this journey to federated identity sooner rather than later.  The benefits to students, faculty, researchers, and staff will be profound.  By participating with InCommon, schools and universities will accelerate building the knowledge capital and best practice-sharing needed to adopt a federated identity strategy and solution that is effective and trustworthy.

Before we can get to realizing the benefits of federated identity, we must begin to develop a system of trust that mimics the trust fabrics that we see in the real world.  Below, I have including a short video of how Microsoft is incorporating U-Prove technologies with federated identity to enable students and citizens to protect and manage their privacy when participating in higher education federated networks. 

Regardless of the technologies employed to implement a federated identity infrastructure, we cannot forget that the identities we are federating are from real people.  People, more specifically our students, faculty, and staff, need to feel confidence and trust in the systems, people, process, and policies that enable these transformative services are also protecting their privacy.

Here’s the question: If funding, leadership support, and overall readiness were not roadblocks, what would prevent or delay you from implemented an identity federation at your college or university?  Leave your answer, comments, and/or thoughts below.

Resources:

• Microsoft U-Prove Community Technology Preview
• InCommon CAMP
• Claims-Based Identity for Windows