Begin with the end in mind

The work on implementing the Trust Infrastructure in Europe is now going into high gear. Today’s Open Wallet Foundation and Findynet meetings and last weeks FIDES Plugfest - just to mention a few - show that the progress is real.

The benefits for Society at large, every citizen and organisation have from the outset made it clear that remaining issues must be ironed out fast. Can anything be even nearly as important than the leaps on offer: in productivity, security, service levels, privacy, ethical and productive AI, fight against cyber crime and the Single Market. Anything coming near? If not - now is the time for public-private action of never-before seen magnitude. 

So what should I think about at work - in any organisation?

1. What are the business events where I need verified data? Securely in the same way from all public and private sectors sources - without need for technical integrations and contracts.

2. What data do I need to send to the public sector, customers, suppliers, staff and owners? Where do I obtain it? Securely in the same way to all needing it - without need for technical integrations and contracts.

3. Which de-facto EUDI-interoperable agent (wallet) should I choose (72 listed in Open Wallet Foundation - tens for organisations) in my roles as (i) holder (asking for data), (ii) issuer (issuing data) or (iii) verifier (getting data from holder wallets) ? Many organisation wallets can serve all three roles. 

4. Do I need to integrate the chosen agent/wallet to my CRM systems? Smaller organisations do not need it upfront and smaller volumes can be handled by back-offices - at least to begin with. If it is a must - how soon can it be done? Need for reprioritisation is obvious. Even if the integration of standardised wallets will be a routine. 

5. How much work is needed to change my receiving and sending data processes? How much can sending and receiving batches be improved by getting identity wallet support? How much batches can stay where they are and be replaced by a credential in structured form?

6. Should I join industry or service specific groups looking after rulebooks in sometimes needed ecosystems building on the Trust Infrastrucure? 

7. What are the things and applications that my organisation is controlling? When is the time right to provide them with empowering and controlling identity wallets?

Now is the time to begin with the end (all have wallets for all verified data) - not the time for sitting on hands. Especially not in public sector organisations.