Dutch Ministry of Interior joins Secure Identity Alliance

Paris, 21st September 2015: Marking an important step in the evolution of secure documents and secure digital service provision, the Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) today welcomes the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) of the Netherlands, through its National Office for Identity Data, as an observer member.

Joining public and private organizations from Europe and the Middle East, including the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Emirates ID Authority, BZK will work with the SIA to identify and share best practice in the field of identity data, in systems, registers and documents.

BZK joins with an ambition to contribute and exchange experiences in the lifecycle of physical identities and the evolution to electronic identities including the use of biometrics. Offering expert technical and operational guidance, the SIA chief role is to provide government agencies with a unique forum through which to engage with public sector peers and private organisations – exchanging information, unpicking standards and analysing future need.

SIA Board Member, Jacques van Zijp, said: “Broadening involvement of the observers is a prerequisite to the objective of SIA, facilitating Government members to take advantage of the SIA’s global market and regulatory insight to further develop their own national identity programs.”

Director for National Office for Identity Data, Gerdine Keijzer Baldé stated: The National Office for Identity Data provides a coherent package of identity services to all government bodies and private organisations with a public service remit. Joining the Secure Identity Alliance will provide us with a platform to further develop our own processes and share best practices with other governments in collaboration with the industry.”