SPID and digital identity: what it is, how to do it and what it is for

SPID and digital identity are now becoming essential tools for citizens. The Public Digital Identity System allows access to online services for both the public administration and private individuals who join the initiative. By simply using a username and password, you can access all the services that allow access through the identification system.

The use of the SPID is free for everyone , while activation may or may not be subject to a fee. To manage the activation are the so-called identity providers , which take care of the user's registration with the related personal information. The SPID is personal and uniquely identifies the individual citizen who requests it, as well as their digital activities.

SPID: what is digital identity

Digital identity is defined as " the set of digital resources uniquely associated with a natural person who identifies him, representing his will, during his digital activities ". This identity represents a sort of "virtual identification document" approved by the state that allows access to online services through a single combination of username and password. The SPID allows to obtain the digital signature acting as a recognition system.

It is important to underline that the digital identity is unique and is recognized at European level . This is part of the digitization process wanted by Europe, as reported by Minister Paola Pisano at the INPS press conference. Especially following the coronavirus pandemic it was necessary to accelerate the digital transition process, bringing public services to the web to facilitate their use even remotely.

Clearly, the need for citizen identification has arisen, a fundamental condition for providing a safe and secure service. SPID fits into this need, guaranteeing unique credentials in order to protect the individual in his digital activities. The system complies with the e-IDAS regulation on European digital identity. It establishes the principle of interoperability between the digital identities of the member states of the union, allowing citizens to use the public services of other states.

How to obtain digital identity

To obtain a SPID account, it is necessary to contact an identity manager who will take care of validating the personal data and creating the user profile. The manager will ask for the insertion of personal data, the tax code, an e-mail and the mobile number. To complete the registration it is necessary to have a valid Italian identification document and the health card to be provided to the manager. At this point it will be necessary to create the SPID credentials and then carry out the recognition.

This phase can take place in different ways: in person, via webcam, with an identity card or electronic passport, with CIE, CNS or by digital signature. The manager will ask you to confirm your identity by showing the document provided in the previous step, in order to complete the activation procedure. Recognition can be free or paid, depending on the identity provider. Each manager provides a certain level of security which may possibly include OTPs or physical devices (smart cards).

The activation of SPID is only possible for adults who have an Italian identification document. For residents abroad (both Italian and non-Italian) the same procedure is followed, with the attention to choose an identity manager who cover the geographical area in which you are located. For foreign citizens residing in Italy it is necessary to have a valid residence permit.

SPID can also be used for professional use . In this case, the digital identity includes and represents the data of the legal person, such as VAT number and company type. Currently, only Namirial and Register are certified digital identity providers for professional use.

What is the SPID for?

Digital identity and the SPID system make it possible to streamline access to and use of digital services offered by public administrations and some private entities. With SPID you can book health services, pay school or university fees, access INAIL, INPS, Equitalia, AgCOM, MIUR and other services. In addition to national services, the user can access local and regional services . Among these, the request for certificates to the Municipality, payment of regional and municipal taxes (such as Tasi), consultation of the health file and reports, or the change of doctor. Currently only a part of the local administrations have joined the initiative, but the number is increasing.

The use of SPID is strongly linked to the IO app, available since last April. The app was developed to access public services in a centralized manner. Each user, identifying himself with SPID, can pay the road tax, school services, access to the ZTL or fines directly from the application. The digital identity is also used by the state to support various initiatives for the citizen . One example is the mobility bonus , designed by the government to incentivize the purchase of bicycles and scooters, and the holiday bonus. SPID can also be used to access the “Teacher's Card” and “18APP” service, and to apply for citizenship income.

SPID and digital identity: the numbers of digital transformation

The use of SPID is increasing more and more, thanks above all to State initiatives and plans such as cashback, which involves the use of the IO app to obtain reimbursement of expenses on transactions made with registered cards. In January 2021, the weekly average of digital identities released was 261 thousand . A large number when compared to the average of the first five months of 2020, during which only 76 thousand identities were issued per week. In total, to date, almost 17 million identities have been issued . Access to online services also increased: last month alone, more than 30 million logins were made.

As for the administrations (regional and local), currently more than 6,000 allow access to their online services through SPID. Active private services, on the other hand, are only 15. On the health side, 14 regions allow access to the electronic health record, despite the 2020 target being 20. In these only 23% of the total clients have activated the digital file . The public administrations that have activated the electronic payment system are more than 18 thousand , in continuous growth.

In the context of digitization, there are also Open Data , or data made public by administrations. This information enriches what is called “public information assets”, that is the set of data publicly accessible by citizens. The datasets, available on the dedicated website , are divided into thematic categories such as the environment, culture, sport, economy, health, transport or population. Examples of data that can be obtained are traffic flows, topographic maps of the regions, toponymy, gender balances, numbers on road accidents, hydrographic networks, population indices but also pharmacy shifts, numbers on contagion monitoring from coronavirus, teaching hours and study courses of universities.

The SPID article and digital identity: what it is, how to do it and what it is for comes from Tech CuE .