On Thursday, June 15, 2023, GRNET and the European Digital Innovation Hub for Digital Governance GR digiGOV-innoHUB co-organized a webinar entitled “Electronic Identification Systems (eID) and the eIDAS Regulation”. The webinar aimed to examine the challenges and opportunities presented by the implementation of the European Union Regulation 910/2014, also known as eIDAS.

The main speaker on behalf on GRNET was Dr. Panagiotis Rizomyliotis , associate professor in the Department of Informatics and Telematics of the Harokopeio University of Athens. Dr. Rizomyliotis is known for his work in the field of Information Systems Security and Cryptography, while also working as an external expert for the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). Having served for 7 years as a member of the plenary of the Independent Communications Privacy Authority (ICAP), Dr. Rizomyliotis is one of the leading experts in this field.

The presentation focused on the eIDAS regulation and in particular the section on electronic identification and electronic identity. The adoption of electronic identity systems by the member states of the European Union was discussed, as well as the proposal to revise the regulation (eIDAS 2.0) and the introduction of the EU Digital (EUDI) Wallet for the management of identity by European citizens. Dr. Rizomyliotis presented the problems and prospects opened up by the implementation of these systems, as well as the technological developments that can affect the field of electronic identification.

The following items were included in the agenda:

  • Introduction to the eIDAS Regulation: Dr. Rizomyliotis presented an introduction to the eIDAS regulation and explained its importance for Digital Governance.
  • eID systems under eIDAS and their role in the eIDAS hub: The operation and role of eID systems under the eIDAS Regulation and their contribution to the eIDAS hub were analyzed.
  • The situation of eID systems in the European Union and in Greece: The adoption of eID systems in the member states of the European Union was presented, with an emphasis on the situation in Greece.
  • The revision of the regulation (eIDAS 2.0), the adoption of the e-wallet by the Member States and the goal of self-sovereign identification (SSI): The perspective of the revision of the eIDAS regulation was examined, with special reference to the introduction of electronic wallet and self-sovereign identification.
  • Challenges and opportunities in the field of electronic identification: The challenges faced in the field of electronic identification and the opportunities presented by the application of new technologies were discussed.

The event attracted professionals and stakeholders from the field of Digital Government, Information Technology and Security, as well as representatives from government agencies and academic researchers.

Finally, Mrs Angeliki Ballou, Head of the Electronic Government Directorate, Digiital Governance Directorate at Ministry of Digital Governance participated with a separate presentation on the next steps of eID systems in Greece.

Video:

Dr. Rizomyliotis Presentation (pdf)