D4.2: Set of requirements for interoperability of Identity Management Systems

FIDIS IMPORTANCE OF INTEROPERABILITY

Importance of interoperability

Interoperability is currently seen either as an important issue or as being uncritical.  

At national level, interoperability issues have been discussed for a long time. However, interoperability issues at the EU level only became a real point of discussion at late stage. As explained by Leitold, European countries usually develop their national solutions without thinking in European terms first and only at a later stage think about European collaboration.  

As already introduced, across the different spaces, there should be no interoperability, or full control of the end user.  But within a given ‘space’ as described above, it is likely that individuals will use and want to use interoperable trusted identity systems. This is also correct for e-commerce as it will lead to additional benefits of the users, such as in efficiency, but also in privacy, if privacy profiles are correctly implemented. Within a given space, interoperability is critical, especially in interconnected transactions.

Example: as consumer, we like convenience when ordering a plane ticket, combined with a rented car and a hotel.  So interoperability is good.  However, we don’t want to be further bothered by cross-selling efforts from the rented car company 3 months later when they learn that we are embarking on another trip.

Weck says that there are only isolated applications at the moment. Consequently the interoperability of IMS is relatively unimportant for ecommerce. However, with the growth and development of applications, IMS might become critical