Trusted Identity: A Foundation for Sovereignty and Inclusion

On International Identity Day (16 September), a global initiative that advocates for the recognition of legal identity for everyone, we celebrate the power of identity to drive national sovereignty, digital transformation, and inclusive  access to services. For governments, a trusted system is not just a technical asset, it’s a strategic enabler of secure, efficient, and citizen-centric governance. 

Enabling Trusted Identity for All

Thales supports this mission through a holistic identity strategy that combines security, inclusivity, and resilience —helping governments protect their citizens, streamline service delivery, and build public trust with transparent, privacy-respecting systems.  

Why a holistic strategy matters for Governments

In a world of rising cyber threats and increasing complexity, fragmented security strategies leave governments vulnerable. A holistic approach ensures continuity, resilience, and trust across all layers of identity management and service delivery. 

Empowering sovereignty and inclusion through trusted identity

A secure, tamper resistant and resilient identity system is a cornerstone of national sovereignty. It empowers governments to: 

• Secure every stage of the identity lifecycle reducing exposure to fraud and cyber threats through advanced security at every layer
• Provide inclusive services to all citizens, including those in remote or underserved areas and enhance service access by integrating physical and digital credentials into a seamless user experience 
• Accelerate digital transformation with interoperable, scalable platforms that adapt to evolving needs and simplify cross-border and digital interactions, boosting economic and social mobility
• Strengthen citizen & institutional trust, through transparent systems that respect privacy, uphold ethical data practices  

A Trusted Framework across the identity Journey

A holistic security strategy builds trust at every stage of the identity lifecycle ensuring continuity, security and inclusivity. With hundreds of millions of ID documents issued annually, environmental impact must also be addressed. This can all be achieved through a structured framework that covers the entire identity journey:

1. Creating the root identity

Ensuring every citizen can be securely and easily enrolled, regardless of geography and infrastructure. 

• Inclusive reach: In the Philippines, secure enrolment across 7,000+ islands using over 7,800 rugged biometric registration kits, reaching remote communities via motorbikes and water taxis, bring identity to millions. 
• Data protection from day one: Enrolment is a key step in the process. Technologies including anti-spoofing, liveness detection, and encrypted data capture are essential to safeguard personal information from the start. Thales in-house biometric expertise delivers robust protection tailored to match diverse environments and counter fraud.
• Citizen empowerment: privacy by design and consent-based processes give individuals control over their personal data.

2. Issuing trusted & sustainable identity credentials

Whether physical documents or digital credentials, the issuance phase is where identity takes tangible form. It provides citizens with secure, verifiable credentials that are easy to use and hard to forge and designed to minimise environmental impact. By embedding sustainability into credential design and production, governments can uphold trust while advancing their ecological commitments. 

• High assurance credentials: National documents must combine distinctive national branding with strong protection against fraud, reinforcing national identity. Governments across all regions rely on Thales eID cards advanced security and design expertise. With chip-based encryption, dynamic visual features, and CC-certified software, they ensure trust and pride in every credential.
• Digital onboarding: Real-time biometric and document checks enable secure access to digital wallets.
• Dual issuance: Mauritius’ national ID system benefits from both physical cards, and Africa’s first ISO-compliant digital ID wallets-maximising security, reach and convenience. 
• Sustainability in action: The UK Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency has partnered with Thales to reduce the carbon footprint of DL, Techograph and resident permits cards. Since 2018, CO2 footprint of these documents has been reduced by one third without compromising document security or durability.

3. Using identity with confidence

Identity must enable fast, secure access to services, anytime, anywhere. 

• Frictionless access: Whether crossing borders, accessing healthcare, or applying for benefits, national credentials must enable fast, secure access to essential services.
• Certified trust: Thales documents and solutions meet the highest international standards: Common Criteria (up to EAL7+), ISO 27001, and EUCC, ensuring confidence in every interaction. 
• Cyber resilience: Advanced cybersecurity solutions including real-time threat detection, secure updates, and proactive vulnerability management, help governments stay ahead of evolving threats and maintain uninterrupted service delivery.
• Future-ready innovation: National agencies such as ANSSI, BSI or NIST urge governments to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges with advanced cryptography. Thales FALCON algorithm, selected for global post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standardisation, reflects our commitment to long-term security and digital sovereignty. 

Why Governments choose Thales

With over 30 years of biometric leadership and more than 300 identity programs delivered globally, Thales offers: 

• Proven expertise in national identity deployments
• End to end control of the identity chain, from secure enrolment to daily use in the field for consistent, trusted services
• Resilient global supply chains for uninterrupted service
• Continuous innovation to stay ahead of threats, backed by 33,000 engineers and 20,500+ patents   
• Tailored cybersecurity services to protect critical digital assets, and to detect and respond to cyber threats 

Building a future we can all trust

On International Identity Day, Thales reaffirms its commitment to helping governments secure sovereignty, empower citizens, and accelerate digital transformation through trusted identity for all. 

Next up: Discover how chip-enabled eID cards are evolving beyond physical credentials to become the foundation of secure, citizen-centric digital ecosystems.