A Universal Client-based Identity Management Tool

Abstract

A wide variety of identity management systems have been introduced to improve the security and usability of user authentication; however, password-based authentication remains the dominant technology despite its well known shortcomings. In this paper we describe a client-based identity management tool we call IDSpace, designed to address this problem by providing a single user interface and user experience for user authentication, whilst supporting a range of existing identity management technologies. The goal is to simplify the use of the wide range of existing technologies, helping to encourage their use, whilst imposing no additional burden on existing service providers and identity providers. Operation of IDSpace with certain existing systems is described.