OpenID Foundation Launched Digital ID Certification

Sixteen organizations completed initial self-certification for new identity protocols in August 2026.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Cybersecurity

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The OpenID Foundation launched new certification programs in August 2026 for verifiable credential protocols, involving sixteen organizations in the initial self-certification process. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The OpenID Foundation introduced certification programs for OpenID for Verifiable Presentations and OpenID for Verifiable Credential Issuance in August 2026. Sixteen organizations have already completed the initial self-certification process.

Why it matters

The new certification programs help ecosystems achieve standardized security, interoperability, and privacy. By ensuring consistency, the foundation aims to strengthen the global infrastructure for digital identity.

The certification process utilizes the High Assurance Interoperability Profile for validation. Organizations are able to perform testing on their own infrastructure or via the foundation's servers.

The players

OpenID Foundation

This is a non-profit organization that manages and promotes the OpenID community and its technical specifications.

The details

The program covers two primary protocols designed to manage verifiable credentials and presentations. The foundation expects all future implementers to follow the standardized testing procedures set by these initial participants.

Timeline

  1. Thirty-eight jurisdictions used OpenID specifications as of the end of 2025.

  2. The OpenID Foundation launched certification programs in August 2026.

The Tech Race

This move marks a shift toward formalizing digital identity standards as various jurisdictions move away from fragmented, legacy identification systems. The foundation's effort aims to ensure that competing digital ID frameworks remain interoperable across borders.

Users will eventually experience more consistent and secure authentication processes when accessing digital services globally. Developers can leverage these certified protocols to ensure their applications comply with high-assurance standards.

The takeaway

Standardizing identity protocols is a critical step toward creating a reliable global digital ID infrastructure. Organizations should aim to adopt these validated profiles to ensure long-term compatibility and security for their users.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest developments in Cybersecurity.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Biometric Update.

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