What is the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework?

The UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework is a set of standards and guidelines established by the UK government to ensure the secure and reliable use of digital identities and attributes. 

The framework aims to create a trusted environment for digital identity services, making it easier for individuals and organisations to prove their identity online in a secure, privacy-respecting, and user-friendly manner. 

According to the Gov.uk site: 'Any organisation who wants to participate in the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework must be certified. An approved certification body will manage the certification process on behalf of the UK DIATF under UKAS accreditation.

The UK DIATF is currently in its third version, and a wide-ranging testing programme is underway to further improve it. Our programme page provides more details on our broader policy approach.

Organisations can already undergo certification against the UK DIATF.

The certification process will follow the standard ISO 17065 Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services, which outlines how an organisation is certified by a certification body and the certification body’s role in certification.'

Key Objectives

• Trust and security: Ensuring that digital identity providers and services adhere to high standards of security and data protection, fostering trust among users.

• Interoperability: Promoting the use of common standards to enable different digital identity systems to work together seamlessly.

• User control and privacy: Giving individuals control over their personal data and ensuring their privacy is protected.

• Accessibility and inclusion: Making digital identity services accessible to all individuals, including those who may face challenges in verifying their identity through traditional means.

Components of the Framework

• Standards and requirements: The framework outlines specific technical and operational standards that digital identity providers must meet. These include requirements for data security, user consent, and identity verification processes.

• Accreditation and certification: Organisations wishing to provide digital identity services under the framework must undergo an accreditation process. This involves demonstrating compliance with the framework's standards and undergoing regular audits.

• Governance and oversight: The framework includes provisions for governance and oversight to ensure ongoing compliance and to address any issues that may arise.

• Guidance for implementation: Detailed guidance is provided for organisations on how to implement the framework's standards and best practices effectively.

Implementation and adoption

The UK government encourages widespread adoption of the Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and public services. The framework is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing it to evolve with technological advancements and changing user needs.

The DIATF document describes a digital identity as a “digital representation of a person acting as an individual or as a representative of an organisation”. This ensures that the individuals or representatives can verify who they are during the appropriate interactions and transactions.

Such digital identities can be used both in-person and online. Any individual can choose to create one or multiple digital identities, but this process is optional, and they do not have to create one if they do not wish to. 

The UK DIATF is a part of the government’s plan to make it quicker and easier for people to verify themselves using modern technology and is changing the way digital identity verification is carried out. 

Why is it important?

Being able to authenticate someone’s identity is increasingly important and with consumers becoming steadily more security conscious, organisations that comply with international standards, best practices and a trusted framework ensures that the verification methods are consistent, robust and of high quality will be progressively sought after.

There are a variety of reasons why a consumer might want to participate in the scheme. Whether you are opening a bank account, starting a new job or buying/selling a house it is set to become a feature in our everyday lives. 

The use of Digital Identities will mean that users do not have to depend on various manual processes to engage with organisations to access their services. There are significant benefits to making these interactions available for both users and organisations such as:

• Enhanced security: By adhering to stringent security standards, the framework helps reduce the risk of identity fraud and cybercrime.

• Improved user experience: Streamlined and standardised processes make it easier and quicker for users to verify their identity online.

• Business opportunities: Organisations that comply with the framework can leverage the trust and credibility it provides, potentially opening up new markets and business opportunities.

• Regulatory compliance: The framework helps organisations meet regulatory requirements related to digital identity and data protection.

You'll also find that it has been designed to:

• Save organisations time and money

• Reduce the risk of fraud to organisations and users, especially from the use of stolen documents

• Make it easier and quicker for user to complete

• Reduce the risk of errors that come form managing data manually 

• Encourage data minimisation

• Encourage innovation by helping organisations develop more services. 

In summary, the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework is a comprehensive initiative to promote the secure, reliable, and user-centric use of digital identities, fostering trust and interoperability in the digital ecosystem.


Find out more on DIATF or get a quote today.



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