edu-ID: the new digital identity of Swiss universities

15 years after its introduction, the SWITCHaai digital identity - known to USI as NetID and used, for example, to access the iCorsi platform - is about to be replaced by edu-ID. The main difference between SWITCHaai and edu-ID lies in the fact that the former is generated by the different universities. In contrast, the latter is a permanent identity created by the users themselves and can therefore accompany them throughout their education - potentially at several universities - and after their studies.

The edu-ID digital identity is managed for the entire Swiss academic community by SWITCH, which provides IT services to all Swiss universities. SWITCH has taken great care to protect personal data: the end-users control the content of the information managed by edu-ID and the extent to which this information is visible to the various organisations that use it.

The edu-ID digital identity is already in use at USI to access the new USI library catalogue and loans management platform. From 13 July 2021, it will replace NetID for access to the remaining services, particularly the iCorsi e-learning platform (https://www.icorsi.ch/). As Massimiliano Florio, who is in charge of the transition project at USI, explains: "all USI IT users, from students to professors and researchers, are encouraged from now on to create their own edu-ID digital identity and associate it with their activities at USI".

There is, therefore, no need to wait until 13 July to prepare for the transition to the new generation of Swiss university digital identity. Information on creating a new edu-ID is available here (https://4me.io/a2E9NTAwMDg), and the IT Service will be happy to provide personal assistance.