Authentication

What’s New

Positive outcomes from the Online and Communications Council (OCC) meeting of June 2007

At its recent meeting in June 2007, The Online and Communications Council (OCC) agreed:

• to the development of a National e-Authentication Framework,
• to endorse the Overview and Principles as part of the National Smartcard Framework, and
• to move forward and complete the National Smartcard Framework, noting more work is required on the remaining parts.

General

AGIMO's work in authentication policy aims to enable e-government by providing confidence in online transactions with government. Authentication is an important component of e-government and operates as part of an overall plan for both online activities and general security. Authentication initiatives aim to support and facilitate the government’s vision for e-government for 2010 by meeting users’ needs, supporting connected service delivery, achieving value for money, and enhancing public sector capability.

Overview of projects

The Government Authentication team looks after a range of projects including:

• development of the Australian Government e-Authentication Framework (AGAF) including AGAF for Business and AGAF for Individuals
• development of the Identity Management for Australian Government Employees Framework (IMAGE)
• development of the National Smartcard Framework

Issues

The Government Authentication team looks after a range of issues including:

• scoping AGIMO's role in relation to the entire range of authentication infrastructure, including technologies, better practice checklists, standards, software and business practices
• developing policy for, and assisting agencies with, practical authentication issues
• assisting relevant working groups, including the Chief Information Officers' Committee Authentication Working Group, in the development of government authentication policies.

For further information on e-security for the private sector please see the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) e-security site.

Other Resources 

Online Authentication - A Guide for Government Managers
In 2002 the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts released an Online Authentication Guide for Government Managers. It provides agencies with advice and guidance on key issues to consider when implementing authentication solutions in their e-business strategies.

This document has since been superseded by the AGAF for Business publications. However, it contains some helpful introductory authentication material and is still a useful reference.

The E-security website of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA).
Ensuring security in cyberspace is a major issue in the uptake of electronic commerce and the development of the Internet for both business and individuals. E-Security is concerned with three main areas: 

• Confidentiality - information should only be available to those who rightfully have access to it
• Integrity - information should be modified only by those who are authorised to do so
• Availability - information should be accessible to those who need it when they need it

Trusting the Internet - A small business guide to E-security
This guide was published by DCITA in July 2002 and is aimed at helping small and medium Australian businesses understand the key issues of internet security. Businesses need to be aware of security issues when they are browsing a website, sending emails, conducting e-commerce transactions, dealing with government agencies online, and conducting e-business activities.

Contacts

For more information or questions relating to government authentication please contact the Authentication/Gatekeeper team.