Emilia Pérez Belleboni

Solving identity delegation problem in the e-government environment

At present, many countries allow citizens or entities to interact with the government outside the telematic environment through a legal representative who is granted powers of representation. However, if the interaction takes place through the Internet, only primitive mechanisms of representation are available, and these are mainly based on non-dynamic offline processes that do not enable quick and easy identity delegation. This paper proposes a system of dynamic delegation of identity between two generic entities that can solve the problem of delegated access to the telematic services provided by public authorities. The solution herein is based on the generation of a delegation token created from a proxy certificate that allows the delegating entity to delegate identity to another on the basis of a subset of its attributes as delegator, while also establishing in the delegation token itself restrictions on the services accessible to the delegated entity and the validity period of delegation. Further, the paper presents the mechanisms needed to either revoke a delegation token or to check whether a delegation token has been revoked. Implications for theory and practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.At present, many countries allow citizens or entities to interact with the government outside the telematic environment through a legal representative who is granted powers of representation. However, if the interaction takes place through the Internet, only primitive mechanisms of representation are available, and these are mainly based on non-dynamic offline processes that do not enable quick and easy identity delegation. This paper proposes a system of dynamic delegation of identity between two generic entities that can solve the problem of delegated access to the telematic services provided by public authorities. The solution herein is based on the generation of a delegation token created from a proxy certificate that allows the delegating entity to delegate identity to another on the basis of a subset of its attributes as delegator, while also establishing in the delegation token itself restrictions on the services accessible to the delegated entity and the validity period of delegation. Further, the paper presents the mechanisms needed to either revoke a delegation token or to check whether a delegation token has been revoked. Implications for theory and practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Use of the new Smart Identity Card to reinforce electronic voting guarantees

The time will come when the electronic identity card or Smart Identity Card (SIC) — already being issued by some governments — becomes a tool that enjoys public trust for use as an electronic document. This paper explores the advantages of introducing use of the SIC in a telematic voting system (Votescript+) based both on advanced cryptography and on the power of smart cards. The paper defends the use of SIC as a decisive element for the identification of voters both within the process of obtaining authorization to vote and as part of the process of individual verification of results, and it provides a summary description of the system operation protocol in different phases.

Analysis of electronic and telematic voting systems in binding experiences

This paper is about analysis and assess of three experiences on telematic and electronic voting dealing with such aspects as security and achievement of the social requirements. These experiences have been chosen taking into account the deepness of the public documentation and the technological challenge they faces.

Digital identity applied to telematic voting involving European citizens. Social and legal implications

This paper describes the characteristics of systems of electronic voting in which both the vote itself and the authorization to vote circulate through computer networks (telematic voting), with a focus on the problems arising from the need to ensure correct identification of citizens seeking to access the voting system in a Europe-wide environment. The advantages offered by such a system are discussed, as are the major social and legal implications these solutions may entail.

Use of web service orchestration strategies in operations on digital democracy platform

Platforms of digital democracy, including both those in platforms of e-government and those operating independently, provide a channel of citizen participation enabling democratic decision-making processes. This paper presents a proposal for an e-democracy platform based on web services technology that is configurable and extensible for use in different scenarios of citizen participation. Operations that this platform must provide to applications are provided, and its breakdown in web services, with the use of service orchestration techniques to define plans for controlling the execution of services in the proper order.