Financial Crime World

Digital Identification Systems and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Around the World

Digital Identification Systems

Digital identification systems are crucial for modern societies, enabling secure authentication, verification, and data exchange. Here’s a snapshot of digital identification systems in various countries:

  • Blockchain-based Identity Services: The Central African Republic plans to leverage blockchain technology for digital identity services under the Sango project.
  • Biometric Digital Identification Systems:
    • Afghanistan
    • Liberia
    • Somalia

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a fundamental component of secure online transactions, ensuring electronic authentication, commerce, and data integrity. Key aspects of PKI include:

  • Digital Certificates: Issued by trusted certification authorities, these certificates are vital for secure online transactions.
  • PKI Deployment:
    • The Central African Republic has not defined a PKI policy or deployed one for e-commerce purposes.
    • Liberia opted to use commercial providers rather than establishing a government-run national PKI.
    • Afghanistan established the Afghanistan Root Certification Authority, a national PKI infrastructure under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Country-specific Developments

Here’s a closer look at digital identification systems and PKI in select countries:

Central African Republic

  • Blockchain-based Identity Services: The country intends to use blockchain technology for digital identity services.
  • PKI Policy and Deployment: The Central African Republic has not yet defined a PKI policy or deployed one for e-commerce purposes.

Liberia

  • Commercial Providers: Liberia uses commercial providers rather than deploying a government-run national PKI.

Afghanistan

  • National PKI Infrastructure: Afghanistan established the Afghanistan Root Certification Authority, a national PKI infrastructure under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Somalia

  • Free Domain Validation Certificates: Somalia does not have a PKI policy and uses free domain validation certificates from Let’s Encrypt.