UNIFY and Microsoft New Zealand say they will work in partnership with DIA to manage the transition project and deliver service improvements over time.

Managed by DIA, Unify says the RealMe Login and Assertion Services allow New Zealanders, immigrants and New Zealand organisations to “confidently manage” and securely prove their identities online across multiple online services.

“This is a significant project for DIA’s RealMe Login and Assertion Services – it both secures the future of RealMe and sets it up with the flexibility we need for any future developments. We are pleased to work with UNIFY Solutions NZ, Microsoft’s global partner for security and identity collaboration work,” said David Philp, DIA General Manager, Service Delivery and Operations.

According to UNIFY, the transition from the current Infrastructure as a Service platform to the new, cloud-based Microsoft Azure AD B2C (Azure) platform is expected to bring DIA savings in operating costs, as well as ongoing capital investment.

UNIFY says one of the goals of the project is to strengthen RealMe’s high privacy and security standards, while bringing the RealMe Login and Assertion Services into alignment with DIA’s cloud adoption strategy, with other expected benefits of the project for DIA including:

• Reduced operational and development costs
• Increased speed and flexibility as a result of the cloud-based operating system, network, middleware components and version management
• Advanced security protection and access, including detection and reporting based on risk profiling
• Potential for faster delivery of new capabilities
• Improved usability, due to a much wider user base and more mature GUI and workflow.

UNIFY Solutions’ New Zealand Country Manager, Tony Temaru, says: “Identity is the cornerstone of the New Zealand government’s citizen-centric digital transformation initiatives, and the preservation of identity as Taonga is fundamental to trust in government as its custodian.

“It is an honour for us to be able to play a role in helping the New Zealand government to deliver a future-proof identity service and trust framework for its citizens, allowing them to transact simply, seamlessly and securely.

”Throughout the transition to the new platform, UNIFY Solutions’ Wellington-based security, identity and access management centre of excellence will enable a seamless migration and ensure that continuity of service and trust in the RealMe brand is maintained.”

“Providing identity services to New Zealanders is a fundamental role of government, and the way these services are delivered is critical to citizens’ trust and confidence in government,” said Microsoft New Zealand Chief Technology Officer, Russell Craig.

“Microsoft is delighted to have been selected to supply the technologies that will enable RealMe not only to be replatformed but also to be in a position to modernise and evolve to meet the changing needs of New Zealanders.

“In making this step, Microsoft believes the Department of Internal Affairs is firmly establishing itself as a leader in modern digital identity and is well positioned to deliver on the goals of the Digital Public Services Strategy, bringing about a more joined-up, citizen-centric approach to service design and delivery.”