How to Build a Digital ID People Actually Want to Use: 5 Lessons From the Field
The success of digital ID isn’t measured by credentials issued, but by how often people reach for it in real life.
SpruceID Blog
Thoughtful perspectives on identity, interoperability, and the systems that turn public policy into usable services.
Digital Identity In America: Series Overview
An executive guide to SpruceID’s multi-part series on the future of digital identity in the U.S.
Digital Identity: End User Experience
Part 8 of SpruceID’s Digital Identity in America Series
From Paper to Structured Data: The Missing Link in Government Digital Services
Governments already have the information they need; it’s just locked inside documents. This post explains how modern document capture, OCR, and validation turn paperwork into structured data that systems can actually use, enabling faster decisions and fewer errors.
Digital Identity Beyond Credentials: What Governments Actually Need
Digital identity is more than issuing credentials. This piece explains how identity underpins access, fraud prevention, and service delivery — and why governments need flexible, standards-based identity infrastructure instead of single-purpose tools.
Applying Zero Trust to Government Data Flows
Zero Trust isn’t just a network model; it’s a way of handling data safely as it moves through government systems. This post explains how Zero Trust principles apply to document intake, identity checks, and service delivery, ensuring access is verified at every step without slowing users down.
Modernizing Government Systems Without Replacing Them
Most agencies can’t rip and replace legacy systems — and shouldn’t have to. This post explains how modern APIs, identity layers, and workflow tools can extend existing systems without disrupting operations or increasing risk.
Why Privacy-Preserving Design Matters in Public Services
Public trust depends on how data is handled. This post explains privacy-by-design principles, selective disclosure, and why minimizing data exposure is just as important as securing it.
Secure by Design: Building Systems That Assume Breach
Modern government systems must assume compromise and design accordingly. This article covers encryption, device trust, least-privilege access, and how to build systems that remain safe even when parts fail.
Why Document Intake Is the Weakest Link in Digital Services
Even the best backend systems fail if intake is unreliable. This post explores why document capture, OCR accuracy, and secure storage are critical — and how improving intake dramatically reduces downstream cost and fraud.
From Uploads to Intelligence: Rethinking Document Workflows
Uploading PDFs isn’t digital transformation. This post explains how structured capture, validation, and automated processing turn documents into actionable data — without manual review.
What “Digital Transformation” Really Means for Government
Digital transformation isn’t about new portals — it’s about changing how information flows between people, systems, and agencies. This post explains what successful transformation looks like in practice.
Opinion
Interoperability Is a Policy Decision, Not Just a Technical One
How states can build interoperable digital identity systems through policy-driven procurement, certification, and governance.
Framework vs. Credential: Choosing the Right Model for State Identity
Explore why a flexible, standards-aligned framework offers the strongest foundation for modern, privacy-preserving digital identity.
How Digital Documents Can Improve Cross-Border Travel and Security
SpruceID is advancing privacy-preserving Verifiable Digital Credentials (VDCs) to enhance security, streamline verification processes, and protect user privacy in international travel and immigration.
Technology
Digital Wallet Certification: The Foundation for Interoperable State Identity Systems
To build trust, protect privacy, and enable true interoperability, states must establish a certification program for digital wallets and issuers that enforces technical safeguards, statutory principles, and vendor accountability from the start.
A Practical Checklist to Future-Proof Your State’s Digital Infrastructure
From vendor lock-in to privacy compliance, the path to digital modernization is full of trade-offs. This checklist gives state decision-makers a practical framework for evaluating emerging identity technologies and aligning with open-standards best practices.
Why CIOs Are Turning to Digital Credentials for Cybersecurity and Cost Savings
Verifiable digital credentials offer a powerful, cost-effective way to enhance identity assurance, prevent fraud, and secure government systems without compromising user privacy.
Policy
Enabling U.S. Identity Issuers
Part 6 of SpruceID’s Digital Identity in America Series
Practical Digital Identity in America
Part 5 of SpruceID’s Digital Identity in America Series
Digital Identity: Privacy and User Control
This article is the fourth installment of our series: The Future of Digital Identity in America.