Marc Hansen, Minister Delegate for Digitalisation, and Yves Elsen, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University of Luxembourg representing the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), have signed a framework agreement enabling SnT to support the Ministry of Digitalisation in promoting and strengthening the digital transformation of public administration, as well as the digitalisation of administrative procedures in Luxembourg. The framework agreement has a duration of four years.
Through this agreement, specific topics will be addressed through practical collaborative research contracts. The first contract, signed on the same day as the framework agreement, focuses on exploring use cases of digital identities. The project, entitled “Digital Identities for Luxembourg”, will help to further position Luxembourg as a digital frontrunner, and shape the evolution of their implementation at an EU level. Digital identities and digital wallets have the capability to create secure identities for citizens, so that they can effectively protect their personal data. With many possible use cases, the technology could be revolutionary within sectors such as healthcare and banking, as well as for government administration.
The project takes place in the framework of the European Commission’s initiative for a European Digital Identity Wallet. The objective is to accompany and support Luxembourg’s government in the implementation of the EU initiative. “With the EU Digital COVID Certificate, we are now used to showing our smart phones to certify our vaccination status. With digital identities, we’ll be able to certify anything, that we’re of age, have a valid driver’s licence, or a ticket for a concert – all without revealing private information that is not necessary in that situation. We can also do this online or offline,” said Prof. Gilbert Fridgen, principal investigator of the project.
According to Marc Hansen, the State is the source of trust and the issuer of credentials in the physical world. “In the transition to fully digitalised processes, it is up to the State to assume its responsibilities by implementing reliable and secure solutions that make it possible to complete online procedures and transactions.”
“Inefficient management and exchange of personal data reduce competitiveness, and complicate regulatory compliance. It is estimated that these lock around 3% of Luxembourg’s GDP. We are proud to support the Grand Duchy in unlocking that potential and be at the forefront of European innovation in developing digital identities. What’s more, ‘Digital Identities for Luxembourg’ is a perfect example of SnT’s mission. We conduct internationally competitive research in ICT to create socio-economic impact,” said Björn Ottersten, director of SnT.