This year, one of many discussions I’ve been involved in revolved around these two foundational terms. In our digital environment and in support of an ever increasing array of people – individuals – engaging and interacting in the physical and virtual world, the questions – who are you and who can prove who you claim to be – becomes a critical element of establishing business and social relationships.
“Once Upon a Time” we lived in villages and knew our neighbors. When we travel afar, we would go with a letter of introduction from a Lord or other important, known and recognized person. A credential signed and sealed would assure safe passage and presented as. Proof of Identity upon arrival. Trusted identify established via a signed and sealed inside a Letter of Introduction.
Federation is a mechanism to convey a proof of identity in a digital world.