Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives
Re: Identity verification
From: "David L. Wasley" <david.wasley () UCOP EDU>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 12:21:57 -0800
First, it's important to realize that there are many kinds of "identity" and the significance of an "identity" lies mainly in the consequences of relying on it's assertion. In the process of applying for admission, "sequential identity" is often sufficient - e.g. "is the person sending in this essay the same person who filled out the initial application?" Once the process is complete and the person has accepted an offer of enrollment, then a "specific identity" based on that person's association with the school can be created. That said, a number of schools are moving towards issuing a PKI certificate as part of the initial on-line application for admission. That credential would only be accepted for subsequent steps in the admission process, up to and including accepting an offer of enrollment. Once admitted, the student would be issued a new PKI certificate (or equivalent) that would assert an identity useful for access to university resources, etc. The application credential would be part of the I&A process leading to issuance of the permanent credential. I've left out a lot of the details, e.g. digital signatures, acquiring transcripts, etc. Many of these details depend on circumstance and are evolving as high schools, etc., incorporate IT capabilities. I expect someday there will be "college application brokers" who will mediate many of these details. David Wasley ----- At 12:53 PM -0600 on 2/13/04, Travis Brown wrote:
Content-Type: text/html Content-Description: HTML With the increase of identity theft and privacy issues, SSN is often no longer required for students when they apply to a university. However, without private information submitted during application, we will soon have trouble verifying identity. I am interested in ways other universities have dealt with this problem. How do you assign initial passwords or allow account activation? Distance students may never come to campus, so we cannot require students to be physically present to bring an ID. Travis Brown ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Discussion Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/cg/.
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Current thread:
- Identity verification Travis Brown (Feb 13)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Identity verification David L. Wasley (Feb 13)