Definition eIAM
eIAM is the central access and authorization system of the Swiss Federal Administration for web applications and native mobile apps. From a technical perspective, it is a system orchestrated from numerous ICT components. Functionally, eIAM can broadly be divided into two areas: the authentication part (keywords: electronic identities and login process) and the authorization part (keywords: roles and permissions).
An introductory video [1] explains this structure of eIAM and shows that so-called Identity Providers [2] are the source of electronic identities for eIAM. These include in particular the Identity Provider FED-LOGIN for employees of the Federal Administration and the Identity Provider AGOV for all other end users. The predecessor of AGOV is CH-LOGIN, which is currently in the phase-out stage.
eIAM (including AGOV) is used in all business relationships – the so-called contexts [3]. The number of end users is in the single-digit millions, while an annual transaction volume in the hundreds of millions is processed.
AGOV [4] is an inherent component of eIAM and holds a special position: AGOV functions as an Identity Provider and login procedure may also be used by authorities and by third parties outside the Federal Administration. This is based on the corresponding legal provisions of the Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means for the Fulfilment of Authorities’ Tasks (EMBAG) [5].
From an administrative and data law perspective, eIAM is based on the relevant legal foundations of the Confederation [6]. Organizationally, eIAM is operated by the Swiss Federal Chancellery as a so-called standard service [7].
The use of eIAM (including AGOV) is mandatory for the central Federal Administration [8]. For other authorities as well as for EMBAG-compatible third parties, the use of AGOV is voluntary [9].
Following the above explanations, the SGC [10] is therefore also, self-evidently, provided mandatorily through eIAM.
[1] www.eiam.admin.ch
[2] www.eiam.admin.ch/idps
[3] www.ilj.li/x2g
[4] www.agov.ch
[5] www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/2023/787/de (in German)
[6] www.eiam.admin.ch/legal
[7] www.bk.admin.ch/bk/en/home/digitale-transformation-ikt-lenkung/standarddienste.html
[8] www.eiam.admin.ch/mm
[9] help.agov.ch/index.php?c=agovfaq&q=%221.24%22
[10] www.bit.admin.ch/en/sgc-en