OpenID Foundation Launched Digital ID Certification
Sixteen organizations completed initial self-certification for protocols supporting secure, interoperable digital credentials.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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In August 2026, the OpenID Foundation introduced certification programs for OpenID for Verifiable Presentations (OpenID4VP) and OpenID for Verifiable Credential Issuance (OpenID4VCI). Sixteen organizations have already completed the initial self-certification process for these protocols.
Why it matters
These certification programs establish a standard for security and privacy in digital identity ecosystems, building on momentum from the 38 jurisdictions that adopted OpenID specifications by the end of 2025. Standardized testing aims to ensure interoperability as digital ID programs scale globally.
Implementers verify protocol compliance using the High Assurance Interoperability Profile, a technical framework designed to ensure secure communication between identity providers and relying parties. The Foundation offers testing tools that allow organizations to run validations on their own infrastructure or via OpenID-hosted servers.
The players
OpenID Foundation
An international non-profit organization that manages, promotes, and develops open identity standards to enable secure digital authentication.
The details
The certification process focuses on two specific protocols: OpenID for Verifiable Presentations, which allows users to present verified claims without sharing unnecessary data, and OpenID for Verifiable Credential Issuance, which defines how systems securely exchange digital credentials. By using the High Assurance Interoperability Profile, participants ensure their systems adhere to consistent, secure communication standards. This structured validation helps mitigate fragmented implementation, which is common in decentralized digital identity frameworks.
Timeline
By the end of 2025, 38 jurisdictions had adopted OpenID specifications.
The OpenID Foundation launched the new certification programs in August 2026.
The Tech Race
The introduction of these certifications follows the widespread adoption of OpenID specifications in 38 jurisdictions, including programs in Europe, the UK, Switzerland, India, and California. This push for formal validation marks a transition from early-stage pilot programs to an era focused on consistent, cross-border interoperability.
This development primarily affects software developers and organizations managing identity systems, who can now use these certifications to signal compliance with security benchmarks. Users of digital IDs in the 38 participating jurisdictions may eventually experience more reliable and secure credential verification across different platforms.
The takeaway
The OpenID Foundation expects all current implementers of its credential protocols to eventually pursue this certification to demonstrate system integrity. Observers should monitor whether these certifications become a mandatory requirement for government-backed digital identity procurement.
Further reading
For broader trends in digital identity infrastructure, see the latest coverage in Cybersecurity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Biometric Update.
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