What is digital identity?

When we ask ourselves what digital identity and digital reputation are, we can intuitively guess that it has something to do with how we are perceived in the digital or virtual world.

And that is correct. However, as with everything in life, there are some nuances we need to consider.

How does digital identity work?

If we delve into various dictionaries and reference websites, we find that the definition of digital identity is the set of information about an individual, organization, or electronic device that exists online.Thus, we can confirm that digital identity (also known as identity 2.0) is the online version of physical identity. In the digital realm, this identity is formed through the data we ourselves have published on the internet:

• Personal data.
• Images shared of our hobbies.
• Preferences through ‘likes’ on posts, news, etc.
• Even our opinions about restaurants, stores, etc. (through platforms like Google Review, TrustPilot, etc.).

Based on this, the big question we ask is whether digital identity faithfully represents each person’s real identity, and the answer is clear: never 100%.

What is digital identification?

Digital identity and digital identification are both essential components of modern online interactions. 

Digital Identification is the process of identifying and authenticating users, devices, and organizations in their online interactions. This is achieved through various methods such as usernames and passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA), biometric authentication, and digital certificates. 

Digital identification systems collect, store, and verify personal information to ensure secure online activities and prevent fraud.

Digital identity examples

We can find as many examples of digital identity as there are people in the world. There is no specific digital identity profile that is better than another. At the business level, many profiles have been created with varying degrees of commercial success, always depending on the target audience of that identity.

What we must be clear about is the objective we are seeking with our presence in the virtual world. Once this reflection is made, we can provide a series of recommendations to create a digital image or reputation and perform identity management that serves as a social example. Let’s look at them below.

Specialization is Key

Unless your aspiration for your digital identity is to become a ‘troll’ (a profile that seeks to provoke by posting provocative or out-of-place messages), the key is to position yourself and specialize in a topic that you are passionate about.

Whether you are an individual, an institution, or a company, it is advisable to create quality content – that makes a difference – on a topic that interests you or that you master.The same can be said about the channels to use.

It is useless to be on all social networks or platforms in the world if you do not stand out in at least one of them. Focus your digital identity on a niche, and the chances of being relevant will be greater.

Personalization is Good, Sharing Personal Data is Not

We should not confuse digital identity with real identity; therefore, it is best never to show personal data such as physical addresses (unless you are a business), personal documentation, or even personal email (you can always create one associated with your brand or image).

On the other hand, in a digital profile, it is always advisable to reflect your values as a person or entity.

This way, you will generate empathy with the people you connect or interact with digitally. Hence the delicate balance between being approachable and giving too many personal details.

Privacy Above All

Although this point is closely related to the previous one, we must differentiate between not giving data voluntarily and having it stolen.

A mistake, an open session in a public place, or a password that gets leaked on a social network can ruin our reputation or that of our institution.

And not only that, but they could also access our secure passwords, data, and banking operations, mobile phone, etc.It is essential to stay vigilant in this aspect and properly configure all the privacy options offered by digital tools.

We must also be aware of the Wi-Fi networks we connect to and their security (or lack thereof).

Review Your Digital Reputation Regularly

Digital identity is something that, for better or worse, can evolve over time. For this reason, it is advisable to review how you are perceived in the digital environment.

To do this, it is very useful to search for your business or personal brand terms through search engines like Google or Bing. The first results you find will define you for all those who search for you in this way.

It is also advisable to conduct a small audit of your social networks from time to time.

Try to keep them updated and in line with the image you want to convey at any given time.

Digital Identity and Proctoring

As we have mentioned throughout this post, identity can be constructed without exactly matching reality. In any case, what is done under that digital identity has (or at least should have) repercussions in real life.

For instance, a person in the real world looking for a job through digital tools must have a digital identity that demonstrates and is faithful to their reality.

The same goes for a student taking an online exam. These are cases where it is necessary to ensure that both identities match the same person.

How Can We Protect Our Digital Identity in an Online Process?

The answer is simple: with proctoring plans like SMOWL. Thanks to our AI-powered user authentication technology, we can verify that the person taking an online test or job interview is the same person in reality. In summary, that their two identities match and can be certified as corresponding.

If you need one of these tools or want to try how it works to see if it might be interesting to implement in your processes, do not hesitate to contact us, and we will provide you with a free demo of SMOWL.