A Message from Our Executive Director Dear Supporter, The pace of change in the digital identity space has never been faster, and neither has Kantara's momentum. This month I'm proud to share a newsletter full of news that reflects exactly the kind of impact our community exists to make. We've been recognized as a 2026 Catalyst in the Financial Services Prism Report, our updated Operating Procedures are strengthening member-driven governance, the UK's digital verification services trust framework is making certification a legal requirement, and Kantara is the first accredited certification body getting organizations there. Three major conferences are just weeks away: Identity Week America, The Deepfake Summit, and FedID — and I'll be on stage at the first two. I hope to see many of you there. This community is doing important work. Thank you for being part of it. Regards, Kay Chopard Executive Director NEWS FROM AROUND OUR COMMUNITY Kantara Named a 2026 Catalyst in the Financial Services Prism Report Kantara Initiative has been named a 2026 Catalyst in The Prism Project's Financial Services Prism Report, recognized in the Infrastructure Beam, reflecting our work advancing trusted digital identity, privacy, and interoperability across the financial ecosystem. This recognition spans our leadership in NIST SP 800-63 conformity assessment programs and our efforts to address deepfake and synthetic identity threats through initiatives such as our Privacy Enhancing Mobile Credentials (PEMC) Work Group and our Countering Deepfakes: Protecting Identity Proofing and Verification Discussion Group. As financial institutions face escalating AI-powered fraud and regulatory expectations, this recognition underscores Kantara's role in building the resilient trust architecture the industry needs — today and in the years ahead. Request the full 2026 Financial Services Prism Report [here](https://www.the-prism-project.com/2026-financial-services-report). Thank you to The Prism Project for the continued partnership, and to our members, partners, and working group contributors who make this work possible. Not All IAL3 Claims Are Equal: A New Resource from NextgenID When organizations pursue authorization at the High baseline of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), the gap between certified and self-attested identity proofing is where efforts stall. As they build out identity proofing, credentialing, authentication, and binding for FedRAMP High, two recurring assumptions keep surfacing: that in-house services already meet the bar, or that a vendor's own "NIST 800-63A IAL3" claim is enough. Neither assumption survives the independent assessment that FedRAMP requires — when the assessor asks for proof, a self-attested claim has nothing to back it. . Kantara is the only organization offering independent, third-party conformity assessment against NIST SP 800-63. A provider is either on our public Trust Status List at IAL3, or they're not — there's no in-between, and no self-attestation that substitutes for it. A new piece from NextgenID lays out exactly what to verify before you sign an IAL3 vendor, including four questions to ask before your next FedRAMP High assessment. Read the full article [here](https://www.nextgenid.com/dod-icam-requirements/). UK Digital Verification Services Trust Framework From 1 October 2026, offering digital Right to Work (RtW) and Right to Rent (RtR) checks will satisfy the UK's checking schemes only if they are carried out through a service certified by a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) and [registered](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-registered-digital-identity-and-attribute-s...) with the Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA)[register](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-registered-digital-identity-and-attribute-s...). Digital checks remain optional for employers and landlords, but where they choose to use them, the Home Office will require those checks be carried out exclusively through a certified and registered Digital Verification Service (DVS). This change is introduced through the[Immigration (Restrictions on Employment and Residential Accommodation) (Prescribed Requirements and Codes of Practice) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/700)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/700/made). The accompanying Explanatory Memorandum makes the position explicit: the instrument requires employers, landlords and letting agents who carry out digital identity checks to use a certified and registered DVS. This marks a significant shift: certification is no longer a commercial differentiator — it becomes the legal gateway for market access. Kantara Initiative is currently the only CAB accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to certify providers under the trust framework. . As the ecosystem transitions into the DVS regime, Service Providers should ensure their certification pathway is underway well ahead of the October deadline to avoid disruption to service continuity. Updated Operating Procedures Now in Effect Updated Operating Procedures (v4.0) for our Leadership Council and Work and Discussion Groups have officially passed and are now in effect. View OP v4.0 [here](https://kantara.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GI/pages/2055110693/Operating+Proc...). These changes are designed with one goal in mind: boosting the value of Kantara membership. Here's what's changing: - Voting privileges within Groups are now reserved for Members (previously open to all Participants) - Group leadership roles — Chair, Vice/Co-Chair, and Secretary — must now be held by Members (previously only Chairs were required to be Members) This shift ensures that the individuals shaping our standards and steering our Work Groups are invested stakeholders in the Kantara community. Group Chairs will be receiving admin instructions on next steps shortly. Have questions about what this means for your Group or membership status? [Reach out](https://kantarainitiative.org/contact-us/) — we're happy to help. EVENTS Meet Kantara at Upcoming Conferences Kantara will be represented at three significant events this autumn. Note: Members should check their inbox for a dedicated email with conference details and exclusive member discount codes. The Deepfake Summit 2026 — Arlington, VA. September 1, 2026 · Convene at 1201 Wilson Blvd Deepfakes aren't a future problem — they're a right-now problem, and the identity industry is racing to keep up. Kay Chopard, our Executive Director, is taking the stage to bring her expertise at the crossroads of trust frameworks, identity assurance, and policy to one of the most urgent conversations in tech today: how do we defend digital identity against synthetic threats? Save $500 with code DFSDC500. Register [here](https://www.thedeepfakesummit.com/event-details/the-deepfake-summit-washingt...). Identity Week America 2026 — Washington, D.C. September 2–3, 2026 · Walter E. Washington Convention Center One of the largest identity events in the United States, bringing together thousands of professionals from government, finance, healthcare, retail, and technology. With 250+ leading solution providers and a packed agenda of keynotes and panels, this is the place to connect with the people shaping the future of identity — including Kantara's own Kay Chopard on stage for two sessions: - Day 2 @ 11:10 a.m. — Digital Wallets and Federated Trust: What NIST SP 800-63C-4 Means for Assurance - Day 2 @ 1:40 p.m. — Panel: Dual-Edged Onboarding: Managing the risks and benefits of face-scanning, digital IDs, and AI integration in KYC onboarding operations Grab your all-access pass [here](https://secure.terrapinn.com/V5/step1.aspx?E=11041&p=1). Federal Identity Forum & Exposition (FedID) 2026 — Chantilly, VA September 15–16, 2026 · Westfields Marriott A two-day immersive forum uniting identity professionals from the federal government, private sector, and academia for strategic planning, information sharing, and collaboration. Find us at all three events. To get in touch, contact us [here.](https://kantarainitiative.org/contact-us/) MEMBERSHIP Will you join the Kantara Initiative in 2026? The Kantara Initiative advances innovation through the strength of its growing membership, expanded conformity assessment programs, and commitment to quality and excellence in its staff and program offerings. Membership in the Kantara Initiative provides chances to participate in profile-raising activities and achieve recognition in the organization's outputs, including conference and media presentations, leadership in work groups, and other leadership opportunities. Through our many Work and Discussion Groups, events, and reports, members have the opportunity to advance their own work in emerging areas. We strive to advance the trustworthy use of identity assurance and personal data in the market through the expertise, efforts, and vision of our groups. Membership offers an unparalleled opportunity to amplify your visibility within the industry, among relying parties, decision-makers, and policy leaders. Your contributions solve problems and build confidence in identity solutions across industries. JOIN US! Sign up for membership in the Kantara Initiative at www.kantarainitiative.org/membership