OpenID Is the Future of Federated Identity for Government connections
As Simptel works toward becoming a recognition broker (herkenningsmakelaar) within the Dutch eTD (Elektronische Toegangsdiensten) ecosystem, we have encountered challenges that are typical in regulated government environments.
One issue stands out: connecting new digital services takes too long and is costly.
The Dutch eTD ecosystem has historically relied on the SAML 2.0 protocol to connect identity providers (e.g. KPN, Z-Login), recognition brokers, and relying parties (e.g. Het Kadaster, Gemeente Eindhoven). This standard is a mature, secure standard and has earned broad trust across government institutions.
At the same time, onboarding new relying parties often requires months of coordination, custom integrations, and extended testing. As a result, services that could be delivered in weeks frequently take six months or more to become operational. These concerns were also raised during the government meetup“EDI-stelsel en Bureau Large Scale Pilots”.
OpenID Connect (OIDC) offers a clear path forward. While SAML remains essential for existing connections, OIDC provides a simpler and more modern integration model for new services. It reduces implementation effort, shortens timelines, and supports reusable, standardized flows, without compromising trust or security.
The transition does not require disruption. Existing systems and investments can remain in place while the ecosystem evolves in a controlled manner.
This is where Simptel wants to contribute.
As a recognition broker, we aim to be the bridge between SAML-based infrastructures and OIDC-first integrations, helping the Dutch eTD ecosystem move forward faster and more sustainably, while preserving the trust on which government services depend.
