In June, we were pleased to support Suprit’s journey to attend the 2024 European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC). Read on below to hear directly from Suprit about his impression of the event, and how the sessions at EIC 2024 provided perspective on topics in his daily work.
From Bhutan to Berlin: My Journey to the 2024 European Identity and Cloud Conference.
Bhutan, a small nation nestled in the Eastern Himalayas between India and China, is known for our Gross National Happiness and the Carbon Negative initiatives on the global stage. We are least known for our technology and especially for decentralized digital identity initiatives. Being a member of the Bhutan NDI (National Digital Identity), the opportunity to attend the European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC 2024) in Berlin, was not only a significant milestone in my professional journey but was also an opportunity to take Bhutan to the global stage for our national digital identity initiatives. This remarkable journey was made possible to me through the Kim Cameron Award, named after the late Kim Cameron, a visionary in identity and access management, and the Digital Identity Advancement Foundation (DIAF) who did all the hard work in selecting my application.
Arriving in Berlin after a 16-hour-long flight was tiring but I was immediately struck by the city’s blend of historical significance and modern vibrancy. As I walked in the morning at the conference venue, the Berlin Congress Center, it was abuzz with anticipation for the opening session. I was extremely privileged to be a panel on the session “Future Forward: Shaping Identity with Diversity & Expertise” which was chaired by Ian Glazer, and in the same session I met Heather Flanagan, Raj Patil, and Rachelle Sellung. Post the session, I had the opportunity to meet Drummond Reed, who helped us in drafting the Bhutan NDI Act 2023.
The highlight of the first day was undoubtedly the keynote by Martin Kuppinger, who provided a comprehensive overview of Vision 2030: Rethinking Digital Identity in the Era of AI and Decentralization. His talk was both inspiring and thought-provoking, setting the stage for the intensive learning sessions ahead.
My presence at the EIC 2024 also allowed me to collect the prestigious award for Bhutan NDI – “Decentralized ID in Practice” on behalf of GovTech Agency of Bhutan and Druk Holding and Investment, during the award ceremony on Day 1.
The day-2 opening session by Andy Tobin, “eIDAS 2.0: Game On, But What game is it?”, gave me a comprehensive overview of how EU nations are moving forward with the Digital Wallet implementations based on eIDAS 2.0. I like his analogy of this journey with the Olympic games. Following this, one of the standout sessions was the panel discussion on the “Latest eIDAS Legislation and What it Means for People, Business, and Government.” The diverse viewpointspresented by the panelists highlighted the complexities of balancing innovation with privacy and ethical considerations. Although several parallel sessions were going on throughout the day, I attended the sessions which were based on the theme of Decentralized Identity & eIDAS 2.0, but I made sure that I noted some of the other key sessions that I could watch the recordings. Similarly, on Day 3 and Day 4, I attended the sessions which were themed on Decentralized Identity & Global Wallets and Identity Beyond Enterprise respectively.
Attending the sessions was not just about IT. Networking opportunities were abundant, and I had the chance to connect with professionals from various sectors in the EU. These interactions provided valuable insights into how different countries were approaching eIDAS 2.0.
EIC 2024 was more than just a technical exposure to me, I had a wonderful time on the evening of Day 3 when we went for the Spree Tour around Berlin City, with excellent food and engaging conversations. The beauty and history of the city added an extra layer of enrichment to my whole experience. I also took time off to visit the historic Brandenburg Gate to the artistic East Side Gallery.
The knowledge gained, connections made, and experiences shared are invaluable assets that will undoubtedly shape my work in the years to come. I am taking back a lot of memories and learnings which I am going share with my teammates back home. I look forward to the future, inspired by the experience and ready to take on new challenges.
Thank you EIC 2024, the Kim Cameron Award, and DIAF for this unforgettable opportunity.