Cover Letter

Name: Yukti Kohli

Designation : Assistant Professor
Organization: Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal
Email : [email protected]
Contact No. : 9993071792
Theme of the paper: Cyber security and Data Protection in Digital Identity Ecosystem
Title of the paper: Data Protection and Digital Identity: An Analysis

ABSTRACT
In today’s world where all the data is available on the cloud and can be easily accessed by
anyone and everyone at any given point of time, cyber security is the key essential for providing
safety and privacy to the public at large. Due to the numerous data available on the internet, there
is a need of specification of the data ownership, and for that we stand in need of digital identity.
To advance toward digital identity, attention must be paid to both the adoption of new laws and
regulations. The existence of these laws is necessary to control the associated services and
transactions and to establish penalties for infractions. Using a safe and reliable digital identity
system that can ensure privacy protection is essential to a successful cyber resilience strategy.
Therefore, it is indisputable that an increasing number of institutions and businesses will use the
cloud.

Although the security problems that cloud computing faces are perhaps not new, they are
handled differently. The author will try to highlight the data colouring technique to guarantee the
security of data processed or stored on both cloud and non-cloud platforms. The techniques
combines digital watermarking, fingerprints combinations, and public key infrastructure. This
technique protects data while it is being processed and while it is being created or stored.

Strengthening cyber security measures is essential as the digital ecosystem changes, especially
with regard to safeguarding digital identities. This paper offers insight into the strong tactics to
reduce threats and guarantee the integrity of personal data while completely outlining cyber
security best practices for safeguarding digital identities.

Keywords: Digital identity, Cloud, Cyber security, Data protection, Digital ecosystem.
Introduction

The foundation of cyber security is the idea that we are all prime targets for cybercriminals'
attacks in the "digital world," which refers to all online or electronic platforms. Identifiers,
passwords, papers, emails, and an online presence are just a few examples of targets, in addition
to our money or information. While some cyber attacks are occasionally explicitly crafted, most
are generic and can target any individual. One of the most important and common components of
cyber attacks is human mistake.

These components can range from as basic as following instructions from phishing emails to as
complex as criminals impersonating clients, vendors, or even staff members or experts to obtain
your assets (both financial and non-financial) 1. Therefore, protecting computers is crucial from
these attacks.

Cyber security, as used in the IT industry, includes safeguarding and integrating IT resources,
protecting data integrity, preventing unwanted activity, guarding against malevolent users, and—
above all—maintaining and upholding data confidentiality. Therefore, to preserve the automated
system's confidentiality, availability, and integrity, protection is required2.

Every person who browses the internet creates a digital trail of their identify and personal data
online, claims3. We engage in certain online activities that are not secure. We have to contend
with fraudsters and cybercriminals who are always searching for new methods to obtain people's
personal data. Avoiding any kind of system compromise is definitely the wisest course of action,
regardless of your level of expertise in cyber security. Given that attackers are always evolving
their strategies, it is crucial to identify any breach and lessen its effects as soon as possible in
order to protect the system and data.

Identity is a complicated subject that is crucial to our daily activities on a global scale. In
general, the process of creating an identity necessitates a comprehensive setting that includes a
process of verifying a person's unique knowledge (like their username, password, or PIN code)
and possessions (like their mobile phone number or code-generating device) before enabling
them to finish a transaction or process.

Three essential components of cyber security that are connected to digital identity and
information protection are examined in this study. The identification of numerous urgent risks, a
1
Darío Rodríguez, Carolina Busco and Rodrigo Flores, ‘Information Technology within Society’s Evolution’ (2015) 40
Technology in Society 64.
2
Sabina Lissitsa, ‘Effects of Digital Use on Trust in Political Institutions among Ethnic Minority and Hegemonic
Group – A Case Study’ (2021) 66 Technology in Society 101633.
3
‘5 Cybersecurity Challenges and Trends to Expect in 2018’
<https://www.globalsign.com/en/blog/in/cybersecurity-trends-and-challenges-2018> accessed 20 January 2025.
synopsis of current events, and, lastly, a number of strategies (supported by examples) for the
efficient use of safe digital identities for the advancement of the country are some of these
components.

IT infrastructure or other digital systems are necessary for digital identity systems to function.
Cloud infrastructure technology is emerging as a scalable infrastructure solution that can offer
cost savings and effective service within the digital ecosystem in the face of these infrastructure
difficulties in Nigeria and much of Africa. Using the data coloring method among ecosystem
actors will further improve security, even while cloud infrastructure is shared and consumers
could be hesitant to reveal critical resources. Data backup is still a problem for IT infrastructures
and digital systems. Through the use of digital watermarking, digital signatures, and Public Key
Infrastructure (PKI), stakeholders and users of digital systems can safeguard data during
processing and at generation or storage by utilizing the data tagging technique.

Imminent Hazards
Three significant cyber security threats pertaining to digital identity are highlighted in this
section. A growing number of entities (institutions and organizations) have been compelled to
relocate to cyberspace during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting or transferring their operations
to the digital realm in order to conduct a variety of operations and transactions. Therefore, since
our current identity systems are no longer functional or appropriate for modern society, we now
want essentially different and more resilient identity systems for the purpose of security
management and privacy.

Current Developments in Digital Identity

Using examples from Nigeria and other countries, this section provides a quick overview of
current trends in digital identity, including international standards. What makes identity—digital
or physical—so crucial? Why is digital identity one of the world's most important technologies?
You received data training to October 2023. Understanding the concept of identity, its
significance in the digital age, and the transformative promises of the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030—which want to "leave the world"—are all important to
provide answers to these concerns.

Entire ecosystem for digital identities

The key strategies for making the best use of digital identity for national development are
highlighted in this section. The entirety of living things, their physical surroundings, and all of
their interactions inside a certain spatial unit that can be more clearly characterized is referred to
as an ecosystem4.

4
‘An Introduction to Computer Security: The NIST Handbook’.
Digital identity includes technology and systems, as well as policies and procedures 5. Thus,
security and privacy issues (digital identity and information protection) comprise a digital
identity ecosystem.

Despite the fact that digital identity is essential for establishing credibility and encouraging
creativity on the Internet, people are nevertheless worried about security, privacy, and human
rights. What are citizens' rights to privacy and limited personal data disclosure?

In order to create a robust and efficient digital identity ecosystem, it is imperative that residents'
and users' concerns be addressed. It is imperative that ownership and control issues be addressed
if the ecosystem is constructed with the necessary resilience.

An Idea for Digital Identity Ecosystem Using Cloud and Digital Fingerprints
Unquestionably, a large number of organizations and institutions will choose to go to the cloud.
Although cloud security concerns are not new, there may be differences in how they are handled.
The additional security solution would differ with the cloud infrastructure based on the cloud
service model (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS) and the type of cloud architecture (private, public, or
hybrid).

Conclusion

A robust and secure digital identity system that allows citizens more control over the information
they reveal is urgently needed, as governments and the world have realized, particularly during
the Covid-19 outbreak. A key, dependable, and easy-to-use component of a successful cyber
resilience strategy is implementing a strong, safe digital identity system that can protect privacy.
Additionally, it could lead to new applications and revenue prospects for banks and the private
sector.

5
‘Digital Identity: Key To Privacy, Security In A Modern Economy - WSJ’ <https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-CIOB-
10432> accessed 20 January 2025.