IDA issues call to industry to establish National Authentication Framework
ConvergenceAsia staff
13/10/2008

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has launched the National Authentication Framework (NAF) Call-For-Collaboration (CFC) for interested companies to submit their proposals.

When appointed, in the first half of 2009, the selected CFC participants will implement a nationwide service that will offer consumers the enhanced security of two-factor (2FA) authentication without having to carry multiple devices as they do today with the various e-services they access.

The CFC will seek Authentication Operators (AOs), who will provide 2FA services to Service Providers (SPs) such as those in Government, finance and healthcare. AOs can offer multiple authentication devices and methods, depending on market needs.

Consumers may hold more than one authentication device, e.g. a security token or an SMS One-Time-Password. However, regardless of the device a consumer chooses to use, that chosen device can be used to access multiple online e-services that require strong authentication.

The NAF is a key programme under IDA's 10-year Intelligent Nation Masterplan (iN2015) and aims to implement a secure and trusted enabling infrastructure needed to facilitate the delivery of online services offered by the public and private sectors.

The closing date for submission of bids for the NAF CFC is expected to be 12 December 2008. IDA expects to award the NAF CFC in the first half of 2009.

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