The mood is focused - the start is approaching. Quickly confirm your personal attendance, have your data checked and possibly collect your bib number if it has not already been sent home by post. If you have not already obtained a SwissRunning ID in advance, you now have to retrieve your registration email and confirm your identity with an identity document - even though this has already happened several times, at other races and other events.

So why start over every time?

Imagine participants proving their digital identity with a click on their smartphone. No need to re-enter data, no forms, no waiting in line. After the run, they receive their verified results directly as a digital proof of achievement - secure, mobile and reusable.

What can be experienced in a concrete way in sports running can be transferred to many other situations: Wherever people or organisations need to digitally prove their identity or certain authorisations - whether it is when concluding a contract, issuing a financing confirmation or during compliance audits - a self-managed digital identity can simplify processes, strengthen trust and improve data protection.

The SwissRunning ID shows impressively how modern digital identity solutions work in practice - and what companies can learn from it.

Why Digital Identities are Essential Today

Digital identities are the key to every online interaction. Whether it's logging in, concluding a digital contract, or proving membership - it's not possible without reliable identity verification.

More and more companies are turning to new models based on the concept of Self Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials. These allow users to manage their personal identity information in a decentralised manner. They retain full control over their data and decide for themselves who they share it with. This also makes them faster than traditional methods for proving certain personal characteristics.

The e-ID that Switzerland is preparing represents a specific case of the SSI concept, it is about confirming personal data such as name, date of birth, place of birth, etc. However, there are many other possible digital proofs that a person can have, which have nothing to do with their nationality, such as membership of an association, membership of an organisation, educational qualifications or creditworthiness. All this information can be stored and exchanged digitally.

The ideal use case: Sporting events - and beyond

Why are sports events such a vivid example?

• There are many participants with recurring identities

• Different types of evidence are required (e.g. registration, attendance, performance)

• There is a time constraint - no one wants to wait long

• Data protection must still be observed

This exact combination can also be found in many other industries: banks, insurance companies, mobility providers, associations, public authorities or educational institutions all face similar challenges. They all benefit from digital identities that are secure, trustworthy and user-friendly.

SwissRunning ID - a practical project with a signal effect

As part of a national pilot project, Swiss Athletics, together with event organisers and timekeepers, is introducing the SwissRunning ID. The project runs from January 2025 to December 2026 and aims to simplify the digital transmission of identity in the sports context - based on state-of-the-art technology.

The idea:

Runners receive a digital identity in the form of a verifiable credential, stored in a wallet app. This allows them to register for events without having to enter personal data every time. After the run, they receive their finisher times as a digitally signed proof - secure, verifiable and reusable if needed.

The goals:

• Usability testing: How understandable is the new solution for end-users?

• Check practice integration: Does the registration work smoothly?

• Validate added value: How much does the ID simplify processes for organisers and partners?

How the SwissRunning ID works

1. Creation of the digital identity: One-time registration, receipt of the ID in the Wallet app (provided by SwissSign).

2. Digital registration for running events: Identity verification at the click of a button - fast, secure, without redundant data entry.

3. Verified results as proof: Finisher times, placements, and other information are to be issued in the future as another credential.

4. Other uses: Use for public transport tickets, insurance discounts, tourist offers or loyalty programmes.

The technological basis: Self Sovereign Identity & Verifiable Credentials

Self Sovereign Identity (SSI) means:

• Users fully control their identity

• Data is not stored centrally

Privacy by Design applies Verifiable credentials enable:

• Verifiable, digital evidence (e.g. age, membership, performance)

• Selective disclosure of individual information

• Security and data protection in one

The role of SwissSign: "Swiss Made" trust infrastructure

SwissSign brings not only over 20 years of experience in the field of digital certificates and identities to this pilot project, but also a future-proof technical infrastructure:

Technological components:

• Credentials-as-a-Service: Credential Issuer and Verifier Service as a Cloud Service

• Wallet app for end users: no development effort for Swiss Running as credential issuer, or the timekeeper as verifier

• Supported standards & conformities: eIDAS 2.0, EUDI Wallet ARF, SD-JWT

• Compatible with Swiss Trust Framework: A set of rules that creates the technical and legal trust basis for digital identities and proofs in Switzerland - open, decentralised, interoperable and state-recognised.

Transferability: What companies can learn from the project

The learnings from the SwissRunning ID can be transferred to many contexts, wherever recurring identity proofs, authorised accesses or digital certificates are needed.

Possible deployment scenarios:

• Financial sector: Identity verification in customer interactions, evidence in the consulting and financing process

• Insurance: Digital proof of entitlements or policies

• Education: Digital certificates & diplomas

• Public Transport & Mobility: Ticket receipts or regional permits

• Authorities & Administrations: Digital proof for residents, digital identity management for citizens

Conclusion: Verifiable Credentials make digital identities fit for everyday use

The SwissRunning ID shows: Digital identities and proof of identity do not have to remain abstract - they can be designed in such a way that they provide real benefits. For users, this means: more control, less effort, better transparency. For organisations: less complexity, higher security and better data quality.

Whether in sports, finance or administration: anyone who wants to simplify processes, improve digital services and create trust cannot do without digital credentials.

Interested in your own use case?

SwissSign supports companies in the introduction of verifiable digital identities - from the proof of concept to operational use.

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The author has created this text in part with GPT-4o mini, the LLM from OpenAI. After creating the language draft, the author has reviewed, edited, and revised the language at his own discretion and assumes final responsibility for the content of this publication.