An Identity comprises the attributes associated with an entity within a defined context.
An entity includes a person, organization, process, service, device, system, or Node. Different contexts associate different identities with the same entity. A person, for example, has distinct identities within an employer, financial institution, government agency, or online service.
An Identity remains distinct from an Identifier. An Identity comprises attributes associated with an entity. An Identifier supplies a value or symbol used to distinguish or refer to the entity or its Identity within a particular scope.
An Identity also remains distinct from a Credential. A Credential represents an identity or authority claim used during Authentication or Access Control. Authentication evaluates evidence associated with a claimed Identity.
set of attributes associated with an entity within a defined context
Adapted from ISO/IEC 24760-1, *IT Security and Privacy: A framework for identity management, Part 1: Terminology and concepts*.
An Identity includes only the attributes relevant within its defined context. It does not necessarily contain every attribute associated with the entity.
An entity has more than one Identity when different contexts associate different sets of attributes with it.
An Identity does not independently establish the truth of its attributes, the authority of the entity, or permission to access a resource. Authentication evaluates an identity claim. Access Control determines whether the applicable policy permits a requested interaction.
Identity lifecycle controls address creation, registration, assignment, modification, suspension, revocation, archival, and termination.
A Node Identity comprises the Node identifier, Node type, responsible organization, assigned role, certificate subject, and other attributes used to recognize the Node within a Test Environment.
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