Schaffhauser eID+

ID solution on your smartphone

Initial Situation

Smart Government foundations are missing

Even governments have to bow to trends in wider society. Nowadays, citizens demand of their governments simple, cost-effective digital services which they can access 24/7. Offering services only during traditional office opening times is no longer acceptable. As a result, government services have to be made available online.

However, a pre-condition for accessing such services is a means of validating the identity of the citizen using the respective service. That happens via a so-called electronic identity or eID. In the Canton of Schaffhausen, the solution is called Schaffhauser eID+.

Project Profile

eID users

forms

Approach

Gathering experience via pilot projects

The pre-requisite for Smart Government has long been recognised at national level. Concluding all consultations in the various committees and then moving to implementation may take a considerable time. Keen to make progress, the Canton of Schaffhausen joined forces with Procivis, an innovative start-up, to launch a pilot project at cantonal level in 2018 and then to roll this out in 2019 so that the local administration could gather valuable user experience.

As part of its remit to lead the economic development in the Canton, Generis provided operational support to the project, including as a trend-scout and enabler.

Achievements

Swiss Smart Government Beacon Project

Schaffhauser eID+ moved quickly from idea to pilot project to full-scale live solution. The process provided valuable insights for the developer and cantonal administration and attracted positive coverage at regional and national level. Its sovereign status (eIDs are issued by the local government) makes the Schaffhausen solution an interesting contrast to the large consortium, SwissSign Group AG.

A further first for the Schaffhausen model was using blockchain infrastructure to enable online access to the state-administered Credit Check Register, used e.g. when a potential tenant needs to demonstrate their financial standing to a landlord.