Austin, TX, Nov. 14, 2016 – Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, is partnering with Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, and Washington D.C. to pilot digital driver’s licenses (DDLs). Gemalto received a government grant to support these jurisdictions to pilot the development of a smartphone-based credential, and will implement an interoperable solution of a magnitude not seen before in the market. This partnership includes a two year grant from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which spearheads the country’s National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, an effort dedicated to securing and protecting privacy in the digital world.

As a longstanding partner to jurisdictions across the country, Gemalto has leveraged its combined expertise in the driver’s license (DL) and identification (ID) sector, along with its strong position as a global leader in digital and mobile technology. As states and government entities shift toward digital ID strategies, the NIST funded pilot is an opportunity to set the precedent for mobile driver’s license security and frameworks moving forward.

Gemalto recognizes the continued trend towards consumer mobility and digital dependence, and will guide states as they address this digital transformation with a DL option for their mobile-first citizens. This mobile movement is especially prevalent among the next generation of drivers and the massive millennial demographic. According to a 2015 Pew Research Study, 86 percent of people aged 18 to 29 have a smartphone. Issuing agencies are looking to target this group with new technology and provide a supplemental service to its existing client base to meet the needs of a diverse group of drivers.

The digital driver’s license serves as a secure, companion version of the physical ID card. The pilot will address four main use cases including enrollment, updates to the document once it’s in the field, attribute sharing and law enforcement. The mobile license will enable new security features, coupled with advanced in-field verification, as well as allow for enhanced privacy for citizens through better control of personal information.

“We are pleased to engage in this multi-year pilot program designed to address the many different opportunities surrounding digital identities,” said Katerina Megas, NSTIC Pilots Program Manager at NIST. “The digital driver’s license solution Gemalto presented embodies the NSTIC¹ Guiding Principles surrounding trusted identities in cyberspace. Our goal is to work with organizations to determine the best technology and implementation strategy that will maintain both citizen privacy and security.”

“Gemalto understands that each jurisdiction will have unique needs and experience different challenges throughout implementation,” said Steve Purdy, VP of State Identity Programs at Gemalto. “The collaborative nature of this project will enable us to quickly identify use-case best practices and lessons learned, share those, and refine the solution in a more comprehensive and efficient way. It brings not only the ability to serve individual jurisdiction needs, but the strength of working together cooperatively with a common goal.”

¹National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace