Trust by Design: Klaarmind Expert Tambet Artma at the 49th Annual IACA Conference

The future of digital identity is often discussed in abstract terms, but at the 49th Annual IACA Conference (May 17–20, 2026, Providence, Rhode Island), the conversation was refreshingly practical. Under the theme “The Rhode to Registry Excellence,” the event brought together registry leaders and experts to tackle real-world challenges in securing digital business environments (https://www.iaca.org/conference2026/).

Our expert Tambet Artma had the opportunity to join the panel “Trust by Design: Global Approaches to Digital Identity Verification in Business,” representing the Estonian Centre of Registers and Information Systems (RIK), alongside an excellent group of experts: Thomas Connolly (New Hampshire Corporations Director), Justin Hygate (Chief Registry Officer at Foster Moore), and Scott Willis (Business Services Division Director, Indiana Secretary of State). It was a genuinely insightful discussion, bringing together perspectives from both U.S. state-level systems and international digital government ecosystems.

A central theme throughout the session was a shared challenge: how to ensure that users are who they claim to be, while keeping services accessible and preventing fraud before it happens. Different approaches were discussed—from multi-factor authentication and behavioral analytics to device reputation systems—but what became clear is that strong identity foundations make a critical difference.

From the Estonian perspective, Tambet highlighted how Estonian model is built on two core components: a universal personal identification code and a state-backed digital identity. Together, these enable unambiguous identification across all services. This is complemented by X-Road, the secure data exchange layer that connects decentralized systems without centralizing data, allowing institutions to exchange information in a secure, standardized way.

Equally important is transparency. Estonia’s approach has been shaped not only by innovation but also by past challenges, including the 2007 cyberattacks. One outcome is a system where individuals can see who has accessed their data and on what legal basis. This level of visibility—often referred to as a personal data tracker—is essential for maintaining public trust and accountability.

Another important point in the discussion was how infrastructure evolves. X-Road is no longer just an Estonian solution; it has grown into an international platform supporting digital services for more than 600 million people worldwide. This demonstrates that well-designed, interoperable systems can scale across jurisdictions while still respecting local legal frameworks.

What made the panel particularly valuable was the balance between different approaches. While technological solutions such as MFA and fraud analytics are important, the discussion reinforced that long-term success depends on combining these with strong identity assurance, clear governance, and user-centric transparency.