A digital ID, also known as a digital certificate, is an electronic credential used to verify your identity online. A trusted third party, such as a certification authority (CA), issues a digital ID. The CA verifies your identity before issuing the digital ID.
Public key cryptography underpins digital ID technologies. In public key cryptography, each entity has two keys: a public key and a private key. The public and private keys work together to authenticate the entity's identity.
A digital ID's goal is to reliably link a public/private key pair to its owner. This allows businesses to meet legal requirements, increase conversion rates, and establish confidence.