Heather has been an integral part of the IDPro community for several years as Principal Editor of the Body of Knowledge, showcasing her dedication to advancing the field of identity management and her commitment to fostering collaboration and education among professionals in the sector. She will continue supporting the BoK as part of her new duties. Her prior roles in the industry and her consistent involvement with IDPro have made her a well-respected figure among her peers.

IDPro’s Board Chair, Miki Brotzler, remarked, “We are confident in Heather’s abilities to lead and represent IDPro at this crucial time. Her understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the digital identity domain is unparalleled. We look forward to her insights and direction as we continue to grow and serve our global community.”

Heather expressed her enthusiasm about the new role, stating, “I’m honored to take on the role of Acting Executive Director for IDPro. I get to engage at a different level with the identity and standards community, which is what I love to do most. I am committed to furthering our mission, driving membership engagement, and ensuring IDPro remains at the forefront of the industry.”

During her tenure as Acting Executive Director, Heather plans to focus on expanding IDPro’s reach, strengthening partnerships within the industry, and enhancing the value proposition for its members.

About IDPro: IDPro is a global association dedicated to the professional development and recognition of the identity management industry. Comprising of members from various sectors, IDPro serves as a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among identity professionals.

The post Heather Flanagan Appointed as Acting Executive Director for IDPro® appeared first on IDPro.

This month marks  the second anniversary of our first articles published to the IDPro Body of Knowledge (BoK). In the past two years, we’ve published 28 articles on foundational identity topics from Authentication and Authorization to Practical Implications of Public Key Infrastructure for Identity Professionals. 

The first two years of the BoK topics were  bootstrapped–any foundational identity  topic was welcome. This has led to full coverage in some areas like workforce identity topics, but less coverage in others like access governance. Looking forward, the BoK Committee is  developing an editorial calendar to focus on specific topics. In particular, we’re soliciting  articles on:

• Distinct Authentication Case studies (like “Cloud Service Authenticates Via Delegation – SAML” )
• IAM Security guidance regarding tokens and credentials
• Access Policy Lifecycles
• Developing an IAM security threat model

The list goes on and is updated on our publication status page. 

I am incredibly proud of and grateful to a community that is willing to not just write about what they know best, but also take time to review material and offer the feedback that makes the IDPro BoK an incredible collection of information. Our industry is constantly evolving and maturing, and we have already refreshed 18 of our foundational articles to ensure the material is current.

But wait, there’s more! As the BoK evolves, so too does the program committee behind it all. We have recently updated the program charter and need new membership driven leadership to help guide our strategic direction. This is an opportunity to lead and contribute to the professional knowledge base needed to build best of breed identity solutions.

Get in touch on slack or at editor@idpro.org to volunteer. I look forward to hearing from you!

Heather Flanagan

Principal and IDPro BoK Editor

Spherical Cow Consulting

Heather Flanagan, Principal at Spherical Cow Consulting, comes from a position that the Internet is led by people, powered by words, and inspired by technology. She has been involved in leadership roles with some of the most technical, volunteer-driven organizations on the Internet, including IDPro as Principal Editor, the IETF, the IAB, and the IRTF as RFC Series Editor, ICANN as Technical Writer, and REFEDS as Coordinator, just to name a few. If there is work going on to develop new Internet standards, or discussions around the future of digital identity, she is interested in engaging in that work.

The post Celebrating 2 Years of the IDPro Body of Knowledge appeared first on IDPro.

We’ve compiled a list of digital identity-themed gifts that can advance an identity practitioner’s career, and also provide some unique experiences for anyone interested in the identity and access management industry.  

We may be a bit biased, but the #1 recommendation on our list is the CIDPRO – Certified Identity Professional – program that launched earlier this year. The CIDPRO certification offers a range of benefits such as credibility and employability within the industry as having proven, vendor-neutral-identified, foundational IAM knowledge. Developed with the help of a diverse team of global identity professionals, CIDPRO is a long-awaited, rigorous, vendor-neutral certification program. The globally credentialed CIDPRO exam is available for participation and registration to earn the CIDPRO designation and badge is easy!

As in-person events make their comeback, what better way to get back into the swing of things than attending Identiverse^®? Join IAM peers in Denver, Colorado next June to experience unparalleled education, collaboration, and insight into the future of Identity. Pros and novices won’t want to miss this unique event experience and the opportunity to participate alongside experts and fellow identity practitioners in information-rich sessions on the latest technologies, best practices, and industry trends. Register to attend and, if you’re feeling generous, register a friend and introduce them to the wide world of digital identity. (Reminder: The Call for Papers is still open until January 7, 2022.) 

The identity community is made up of a diverse group of individuals, working to promote privacy and information security across the industry. One of IDPro’s esteemed partners, the FIDO Alliance, is an identity organization that is dedicated to safeguarding digital presence and strengthening authentication. Other distinguished IDPro partners include the Kantara Initiative and the Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC). Kantara actively works to ensure secure, identity-based, online interactions while preventing misuse of personal information so that networks will become privacy-protecting and trustworthy environments. Finally, the DIACC advocates for an inclusive, privacy-enhancing digital ID strategy that works for all Canadians. Becoming a member of any of these organizations is an excellent way to further immerse yourself in the growth of digital identity and expand your network. Learn more about membership opportunities for the FIDO Alliance, the Kantara Initiative and the DIACC to discover how these organizations are making strides in the identity community. And don’t forget, membership with IDPro is always an impeccable option.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday with digital identity programs, so make your list and check it twice! Set your friend, family member, or yourself up for success in 2022 by investing in the future and increasing expertise by participating in any or all of the programs outlined in this list. IDPro has a plethora of exciting activities coming up in the new year, so be sure to stay tuned for new opportunities to get involved. Happy holidays from IDPro!

The post The IDPro® 2021 Holiday Gift List appeared first on IDPro.