Schaffhausen launches digital identity

According to the State Chancellery of the canton of Schaffhausen, the canton’s eID+ solution, which was unveiled on Monday, was developed by the Zurich-based e-government startup Procivis in collaboration with the Solothurn-based software developer Queo Swiss. eID+ will be able to integrate other digital identity systems, in particular the planned nationwide SwissID. 

“With eID+, the canton of Schaffhausen has laid the foundation for an integrated e-government system and is well-prepared for the digital future thanks to the solution’s open architecture,” said Procivis founder and CEO Daniel Gasteiger. 

As part of a pilot phase, which is expected to run until spring 2018, eID+ can initially be used for services provided on the canton’s citizens’ portal. The digital identity will also be given additional functions during the pilot phase, such as a cantonal-recognized digital signature. The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) will use the pilot phase to study the user-friendliness of eID+.

“The strategic goal of the government council in the area of e-government is to become a leader at the cantonal and municipal level and thus create advantages for us both in terms of location and competitive edge,” said president of the cantonal government, Rosmarie Widmer Gysel.  “With Schaffhausen’s eID+, we are moving exactly in this direction.” Widmer Gysel is also the president of the eGovernment’s core team.