•  Dario Betti, CEO – MEF

MEF Welcome address setting the stage for a day exploring the critical intersection of digital identity, authentication, and wallet technology.

• Andrew Bud OBE FREng, Founder & CEO – iProov

An overview of the dynamic digital authentication landscape. This session will explore key industry trends, including the rise of biometrics, the push towards passwordless solutions like passkeys, multi-factor authentication (MFA), the role of AI in detecting sophisticated fraud (like deepfakes), behavioural analytics, and the increasing importance of robust digital identity verification for secure and seamless user experiences across various sectors.

This panel delves into the established and evolving role of the telecommunications industry in authenticating users and facilitating Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. Discussions will cover the strengths and limitations of traditional methods like SMS, A2P messaging, and One-Time Passwords (OTPs), alongside exploring newer network-based authentication signals and the future trajectory for telcos in the digital identity ecosystem.

• Marta Ienco, Head of Strategy – PSR

• Gain insights into the current priorities and strategic direction of the UK’s Payment Systems Regulator. This presentation will likely address the significant proposed changes to the UK’s regulatory landscape, including the planned merger of the PSR with the FCA, and discuss the potential impacts on the payments industry, ongoing initiatives like Open Banking, and the regulator’s focus during this period of transition.

• Jon Shamah, Chair Emeritus, EEMA & Chair, Global Trust FoundationExplore the accelerating adoption of digital wallets globally. This session will examine the drivers behind user uptake, the benefits for consumers and businesses (convenience, security, enhanced services), and the significant impact of government initiatives, particularly the EU Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet being rolled out under the eIDAS 2.0 framework, on cross-border identity verification and service access.

• Mary Camacho, Co-founder, Holochain & CEO – Holo

Digital trust is fundamental to the success of identity and wallet solutions. This panel, featuring insights from Mary Camacho, will dissect the core components of digital trust, including robust security measures, transparent privacy practices, user control over data (agency), the role of consent, and the ethical considerations surrounding emerging technologies like AI and decentralised systems in shaping our online interactions and identity management.

Biometrics offer enhanced security and convenience but also raise complex questions. This session will explore the opportunities presented by various biometric modalities (facial, fingerprint, voice, behavioural, etc.), their increasing adoption in diverse sectors from finance to travel, and the associated challenges, including privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, presentation attack detection (PAD), regulatory hurdles, and the ongoing quest for accuracy and user acceptance.

Following the formal adoption of the eIDAS 2.0 regulation, this panel focuses on the practical implications and rollout of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). Discussions will cover the technical framework, the timeline for member state implementation, the impact on businesses needing to integrate with the wallet ecosystem, and the benefits for end-users in terms of secure cross-border identification and data control.

• Tim Green, Features Editor – MEF
• Thanasis Mandaltsis, CEO & Co-Founder – Magic ID

Join Tim Green for an insightful conversation with Thanasis Mandaltsis of Magic ID. This chat will delve into the future trajectory of digital authentication services, drawing upon Magic ID’s experiences and potentially using the Military Connect initiative as a case study to illustrate next-generation identity solutions.

• Tim Green, Features Editor, MEF

Summary of the day’s key takeaways and final thoughts.

Continue the conversation and network with peers in a relaxed setting.