Identifying and Evaluating a Framework for Integrating Physical and Virtual Identity Management Systems - Essay Example

? Identifying and Evaluating a Framework for Integrating Physical and Virtual Identity Management Systems The extensive use of Identity Management Systems (IMSs) in virtual and physical environments has forced the increased need to remember several passwords and depending on the implementation a smart card may replace it for authentication purposes. A significant number of physical and virtual IMSs have been developed over the last few years with varying degrees of success. Most of these systems does not offer virtual access to general users through internet using mobile devices like cell phones, IPods etc. On the other hand Physical Identity Management Systems (PIMSs) can be implemented with the help of staff in physical places like government service offices, workplaces etc. However, there is an increased realization for the establishment of clear standards and guidelines for integrating these virtual and physical IMSs. We need an integrated platform that can meet the physical and virtual identity requirements and expectations. My research will define a conceptual framework for integrating physical and virtual identity management systems. The framework will not only set design standards but will also contribute towards measuring outcomes of these systems. The proposed framework includes various identity tokens like smart cards, biometrics, PINs, etc. and accessibility tools like the World Wide Web (WWW) and other mobile technologies. The framework will aim to establish a conceptual model using theories of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Design and Research while addressing the requirements of physical and virtual Identity Management Systems. The conceptual model will provide single sign-in convenience to several virtual and physical systems thereby, will reduce the need to remember multiple log-in credentials in different domains by using web technologies. The research will rigorously investigate users’ needs (or identity token that the user has at that time) and the sectors' identity requirements to find out the best ways that can be adopted while accessing different virtual and physical systems. This research may use the Technology Acceptance Model for the validation of its conceptual framework discussed above. The framework will identify the attributes for physical and virtual identity management systems to provide an acceptable and accessible user experience. Based upon the framework, an actual system will be simulated and developed in specific domain based on data from participants. The system will use the Technology Acceptance Model to analyze the framework and will boost the confidence of users and designers in the framework. This approach will ensure the acceptability and accessibility of the system. The objectives and sequence of steps of this research are enlisted below; 1. Identify physical and virtual identity management systems attributes that support acceptable and accessible user experience. 2. Develop a conceptual framework for integration of physical and virtual identity management system in different domains. 3. Demonstrate an implementation of the framework as a prototype by designing or simulating an actual system in specific domain for experiment and evaluation. 4. Evaluation and validation of the framework and its attributes as well as the combination of these attributes to ascertain user acceptability and accessibility. The first research question is the identification of the attributes required for the integration of physical and virtual identity management systems. The strategy for answering this question is to review acceptance and accessible theories of current identity systems and frameworks. This will be handy in selecting those identity systems and frameworks that are appropriate for integration of physical and virtual identity management systems. The initial research question can be defined as: Research Question 1: What are the relevant attributes that would provide an acceptable and accessible user experiences for integration of physical and virtual identity management systems? The second research question is to define a conceptual framework and this can be answered by reviewing all the current identity system models and articles on the theoretical models of physical and virtual identity systems. The second research question can be defined as: Research Question 2: What is a common framework that can be used as conceptual guidance in designing the integration of physical and virtual identity management systems? After defining a conceptual framework for integration of physical and virtual identity management systems, a methodology to test this framework is required to be determined. The methodology may include the development of a prototype system based on the conceptual framework. This system can be used for further experiments to ascertain users’ behaviors and outcomes. The use of Technology Acceptance Model in these experiments may enhance the understanding of users behavior towards integrated physical and virtual identity management systems. The third research question can be defined as: Research Question 3: How can the selected attributes, in the proposed conceptual model for integration of physical and virtual identity management systems, be tested so that the best relationship will result in predicting user intention to use these systems? After analyzing the outcomes of the experiment, findings will be consolidated in a report to make final recommendations. The recommendations thus offered can provide useful guidance for the integration of physical and virtual identity management systems. Therefore, the fourth research question can be defined as: RQ4: What recommendations can be offered to users and designers in different domains who intend to integrate physical and virtual identity management systems for acceptable and accessible user experience? Finally: There is no research known to me that considers integration of physical and virtual identity management systems from the user’s viewpoint by using the Technology Acceptance Model. I wish to demonstrate that the integration of physical and virtual identity management systems, based on the proposed framework is effective and it would conform to the standards of acceptability, accessibility and usability for different users and sectors. I believe that these issues and questions can be answered by applying the Technology Acceptance Model to the proposed conceptual framework for the integration of physical and virtual identity management systems. Read More