Learn How to Navigate Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) Wallet Options

Mobile identity has been an evolving technology in the citizen identity market for five years now. Most of the time and effort has been focused on mobile driver’s licenses, and there are many good reasons for that. However, mobile identity has developed so quickly that other use cases are now starting to emerge. It may surprise you to learn that Argentina is leading the way in deploying mobile identity for its national ID project. (Courtesy of HID Global)
Mobile identity has been an evolving technology in the citizen identity market for five years now. Most of the time and effort has been focused on mobile driver’s licenses, and there are many good reasons for that. However, mobile identity has developed so quickly that other use cases are now starting to emerge. It may surprise you to learn that Argentina is leading the way in deploying mobile identity for its national ID project. (Courtesy of HID Global)

Guest Editorial by Jean-Baptiste Milan for HID Global 

Mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) are quickly moving from promise to reality in many states across the U.S.

According to the Secure Technology Alliance, the pace of mDL adoption tripled in 2021, while air passengers with Apple devices are now able to use mDLs to verify their identity at one Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Arizona.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in TSA’s efforts to improve airport security screening,” explained TSA Administrator David Pekoske, the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Extraordinary Government Leadership & Innovation Person of the Year Award.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske being presented his 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Extraordinary Government Leadership & Innovation Person of the Year Award, by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems, and Tammy Waitt, Editorial Director of AST.
Dr. Kathleen Kiernan (at left), President of NEC National Security Systems, and Tammy Waitt, AST Editorial Director (at right), presenting TSA Administrator David Pekoske with the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Extraordinary Government Leadership & Innovation Person of the Year Award at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East in New York City on November 17, 2021.

“As mobile device technologies continue to advance and become more secure, TSA is committed to leveraging those technologies wherever possible to enhance airport security, reduce touchpoints, provide greater privacy protections to individuals, and facilitate greater accuracy in identity verification capabilities at TSA checkpoints.”

“We expect PHX to be the first of many airports this year to feature this innovation as TSA continues to enable a more efficient checkpoint experience for passengers.”

As these efforts gain ground, questions have emerged not just about how mDLs will be issued, but where they will be stored.

In particular, states are confronting choices about the mobile wallet, the element on a driver’s mobile device that connects to an issuing authority and stores their mDL data.

Selecting the best mobile wallet for an mDL requires states to think about how to bring users an enjoyable experience while serving the public interest — and maintaining security, interoperability, and compliance with ISO standards.

(See how goID™ by HID Global enables the issuance, lifecycle management, and verification of mobile identities, while ensuring their privacy is always protected. Courtesy of HID Global, a Triple 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winner, and YouTube.)

Popular preferences change fast, especially when it comes to technology. So how can jurisdictions get the most value from the mobile wallet that houses their mDL?

It starts with a commitment to developing solutions that are:

  • Available: People must be able to easily find the app and use it across different devices and operating systems.

Integrating your mDL into a broader government app gives you an opportunity to increase the solution’s utility and incorporate additional features, from emergency notifications to social services. (Courtesy of HID Global)
So What’s in Your Wallet? Remember integrating your mDL into a broader government app gives you an opportunity to increase the solution’s utility and incorporate additional features, from emergency notifications to social services. (Courtesy of HID Global)
  • User-Friendly: People must be able to interact easily with the app to maximize convenience and enhance loyalty.

  • Flexible: Issuing authorities must be able to easily manage the app, whether it’s updating mDL privileges or adding new features.

So, what’s in your wallet?

At the moment, states have three different options when it comes to mDL mobile wallets, which include:

A Standalone Mobile Wallet:

(Take a look into how mobile driver’s licenses work in Utah and how they’ll protect your privacy. Courtesy of FOX 13 News Utah and YouTube. Posted on Mar 30, 2021.)

A Government App:

  • A multi-purpose app that can incorporate additional features, cards, and services.

  • Colorado’s award-winning myColorado app, for example, enables residents to store vehicle registrations, insurance cards, and other important documents, from fishing licenses to Covid-19 vaccination records.

(See myColorado™ – the State of Colorado’s Official Mobile App™ in action. Available in the Apple App Store or Google Play to gain access to the Colorado Digital ID™ and other convenient features. Courtesy of myColorado and YouTube.)

A Device-Native Wallet:

  • Device wallets like Apple Wallet, Samsung Wallet or Google Pay that many drivers are already using.

  • Arizona residents can now add their driver’s license or state ID to the Wallet app on iPhones and Apple Watches, while additional states like Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico plan will soon follow.

(Apple users in Arizona and seven other states are getting a new update in their Wallet apps aimed to replace their driver’s licenses. Apple is currently working with the Transportation Secretary Administration to make the digital copy an acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints. Courtesy of 12 News and YouTube.)

If your state’s goal is simply to issue a mobile driver’s license, leveraging the device’s native wallet is a convenient and user-friendly option.

But integrating your mDL into a broader government app gives you an opportunity to increase the solution’s utility and incorporate additional features, from emergency notifications to social services.

The goID ecosystem is based on a field-proven technology that enables the issuance, lifecycle management and verification of mobile identities while addressing the identification standards of the 21st century and beyond.
The goID ecosystem is based on a field-proven technology that enables the issuance, lifecycle management, and verification of mobile identities while addressing the identification standards of the 21st century and beyond. (Courtesy of HID Mobile)

Ultimately, a mobile wallet is not just a place to store driving credentials. It’s an opportunity for the government to deepen its connection to people’s lives and improve services.

That’s why states should consider the power of “and” when developing mobile wallets — offering several ISO18013-5 mobile driver’s license standard choices to serve the most people in the best way possible.

Yet no matter what type of app and mobile wallet you choose for your mDL, be sure it has the flexibility to grow and change in the future.

Your goal is to maximize value and deliver a convenient and compelling user experience. The design choices you make now should power that broader vision and give your residents compelling reasons not just to download but use their new digital IDs.

About the author

Jean-Baptiste Milan, Product Director of goID at HID Global
Jean-Baptiste Milan, Product Director of goID at HID Global

Jean-Baptiste Milan is the Product Director for HID Global’s mobile identity ecosystem goID™. He has over 12 years of experience developing and implementing electronic identity projects around the globe.

One of his biggest successes is the implementation of the first national ID on a mobile phone in Argentina (see press release).

Jean-Baptiste is active across many standardization groups, including ISO, where he contributes to the writing of the coming mobile driving license standard.

HID Global makes it possible for people to transact safely, work productively and travel freely with trusted identity solutions that give people convenient access to physical and digital places and connect things that can be identified, verified, and tracked digitally.

Millions of people around the world use HID Global’s products and services to navigate their everyday lives, and billions of things are connected through HID Global’s technology.

HID Global, an ASSA ABLOY Group brand, works with governments, educational institutions, hospitals, financial institutions, industrial businesses, and some of the world’s most innovative companies.

For further information on the company’s wide portfolio of products and services, please visit www.hidglobal.com

HID Global Takes Triple ‘ASTORS’ Wins in Fifth Consecutive ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon (starting front row, left to right) SIMS Software President & CEO Michael Struttmann; TENEO Risk Advisory Executive Chairman Commissioner Bill Bratton; NEC National Security Systems President Dr. Kathleen Kiernan; TSA Administrator David Pekoske; Fortior Solutions General Counsel Katherine Cowan; NEC Corporation of America Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer Raffie Beroukhim; TENEO Risk Advisory Chief of Staff David Cagno; Infragard National Board Member Doug Farber, Lumina Analytics Co-Founder & Chairman Allan Martin, and AMAROK Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Mike Dorrington.
2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon (starting front row, left to right) SIMS Software President & CEO Michael Struttmann; TENEO Risk Advisory Executive Chairman Commissioner Bill Bratton; NEC National Security Systems President Dr. Kathleen Kiernan; TSA Administrator David Pekoske; Fortior Solutions General Counsel Katherine Cowan; NEC Corporation of America Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer Raffie Beroukhim; TENEO Risk Advisory Chief of Staff David Cagno; Infragard National Board Member Doug Farber, Lumina Analytics Co-Founder & Chairman Allan Martin, and AMAROK Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Mike Dorrington.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

HID Global (First of Three)

Best Smart Card/Reader System

  • HID Element

  • HID ELEMENT® is the industry’s first heavy-duty, fully modular desktop-based card personalization portfolio that establishes a new category for mid-range and high-volume market segments. 

  • The portfolio’s enhanced card production capabilities, flexible system architecture, and cost-effective deployment model empower organizations to create custom, secure IDs and financial card production solutions for a variety of use cases and applications.  

(Designed for industrial ID and financial card personalization, the new HID® ELEMENT offers high-resolution, precision UV inkjet printing, optional laser engraving and an array of encoding options. Courtesy of HID Global and YouTube.)

HID Global (Second of Three)

Best Back to Work Monitoring Solution

(To address the challenges of today’s workplace, it’s imperative to have immediate access to information that optimizes safety, delivers on compliance, and reduces facility costs while creating a better employee and visitor experience. Courtesy of HID Global and YouTube.)

HID Global (Third of Three)

Best Image Technologies Solution

  • HID Crescendo & WorkforceID Digital Credential Mgr

  • Enterprise IT security environments are often complex hybrid systems.

  • WorkforceID Digital Credential Manager streamlines this complexity by centrally managing many credentials and certificates.

  • Managed in a multi-tenant cloud environment through Amazon AWS, organizations can begin issuing and managing credentials in just a few hours, and supports a wide range of authenticators and form factors.

  • Deploy and manage a converged badge protecting access to buildings and IT systems with the Crescendo C2300 smart card or manage Crescendo USB security keys.

(Meet the HID Crescendo family of FIDO-enabled smart cards that streamline access for all IT and physical workspaces in a single credential without passwords. Courtesy of HID Global and YouTube.)

  • *HID Global was also recognized with Multiple Wins in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards, as well as Wins in the 2019, 2018, and 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Awards Programs, respectively.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.

AST Honors Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations, at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our keynote speaker TSA Administrator David Pekoske delivered a moving and timely address on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel, and more (Be sure to see Interview.)
TSA Administrator David Pekoske addressing attendees at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon in New York City on November 17, 2021. (Be sure to see AST Exclusive Interview, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan HERE.)

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Commissioner Bill Bratton signing copies of his latest work, ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon. (Be sure to see AST Exclusive Interview with Comm Bratton, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan HERE.)

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by New PLATINUM SPONSOR: NEC National Security Systems (NSS), New Premier Sponsors Rajant Corporation, and guardDog AI, and returning Sponsors to date, ATI Systems, Automatic Systems, RX Global, and SIMS Software!

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters

So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2022 in New York City!

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification Personal/Protective Equipment Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System Interagency Interdiction Operation Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition Body Worn Video Product Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS Mobile Technology Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics Disaster Preparedness ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera Mass Notification System Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection Rescue Operations Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition Detection Products COVID Innovations
Workforce Management Government Security Programs And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Team TSA
Honoring the 20th anniversary of the Transportation Security Administration (Team TSA at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon.)

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

Register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today

In a typical year, DEAC Sabatino oversees the facilitation of legitimate travel for more than 410 million travelers in the air, land, and maritime environments.
Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

American Security Today is delighted to announce, that Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will be the opening keynote speaker at the much-anticipated 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

To take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to invite your team, guests, clients, and show visitors to a gourmet, affordable, plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!

Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table. ***Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.

Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to ISC East where you can meet the world’s most innovative suppliers and cyber experts, immerse yourself in hands-on tech and learn from world-renowned speakers and thought-leaders.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.
AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

American Security Today

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for The Best of 2021 Products and Services endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

  • For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

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