As a board member, the company will support the OIX's initiative to develop an Open Trust Framework Model so that Internet users can access public and private sector Web sites using a single, trusted set of credentials. The OIX will ensure that identity providers adhere to a common set of privacy, security and reliability policies so that disparate IT systems can interface successfully to create Internetwide trust.

"Verizon recognizes the challenge associated with end-to-end trust on the Internet," said Peter Tippett, vice president of security solutions and enterprise innovation for Verizon Business. "As a leader in identity infrastructure, we are excited about the progress the OIX is making in creating a common set of process and protocols that will ultimately result in Internet users having a single user name and password to more securely access any site on the Web."

Helping to further this initiative, the U.S. Government Information and Credential Access Management Committee has approved the OIX as a Trust Framework Provider. This permits the OIX to certify identity providers who adhere to specific certification models, including the audited self-certification model championed by the OpenID Foundation.

The National Institutes of Health is the first government Web site accepting these credentials, including OpenID and Information Card logins, a capability demonstrated Wednesday (March 3) at the RSA Security Conference. Citizens can use open identity technologies to support a number of online services across any Web site. The services include customized library searches, access to training resources, registration for conferences, and use of medical research wikis, with strong privacy protections, all designed to ensure accessible and transparent communication between the government agency and U.S. citizens.