The Identity Ecosystem Steering Group Kickoff Meeting to support the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC) will be held Aug. 15 and 16, 2012, in Chicago, Ill.

In April 2011, President Obama signed the strategy, calling for the public and private sectors to collaborate on the creation of an “Identity Ecosystem” where individuals can choose from multiple identity providers and digital credentials for more convenient, secure, and privacy-enhancing online transactions.

The private-sector-led Identity Ecosystem Steering Group will provide an open process for organizations to participate in development of the ecosystem. The group’s goal will be to craft a framework for identity solutions that can replace passwords, allow individuals to prove online that they are who they claim to be, and enhance privacy. The group will also devise an accreditation process for Identity Ecosystem participants and certify that accreditation authorities validate adherence to the requirements of the framework.

The NSTIC Program Office, hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded a grant to Trusted Federal Systems to serve as the steering group secretariat for an initial 24-month period. During that time, the group is expected to develop plans to become self-sustaining.

Membership in the steering group is open to all interested parties, with categories for “participating” or “observing” membership. Participating members actively participate in the steering group and the work of the plenary, its standing committees and working groups. Members can join as representatives of an organization or as individuals. The full steering group is expected to meet at least two times per year.

The workshop will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. Attendance is free and open to all, however, registration is required to participate in the formal proceedings. Visit http://ow.ly/cNkiZ to register in advance for the steering group and for information on participating via webcast, for those who cannot attend in person. Attendees may also register onsite.