Architecture and basic concepts

The SWITCH edu-ID implements an identity federation. It puropse is to promote cooperation between universities in Switzerland and with university-related partners. Switch edu-ID provides a digital identity to university members (students, staff and teachers) and also to users without university affiliation like university guests, alumni, further education students, private library users, or event participants. With a Switch edu-ID identity a user may access any service in the federation, under the condtion that the service provider allows the use by defining appropriate access rules.

Join the federation

New participants in the federation are admitted by the Swiss universities and by Switch. The main criterion for admission is the creation of added value for the Swiss university community.

• Service providers can join the federation to offer their services to students and employees of universities as well as to private individuals without university affiliation.
  To join as service provider follow these steps.
• Universities and other educational organizations can join the edu-ID federation to provide their members with technical access to the services in the federation. Joining as an organization requires a technical integration on the level of the identity management. Depending on the type of organization, costs may be incurred.
  It should be noted that by joining the federation, the organization members receive an edu-ID account. This does not automatically include the authorization to use all services in the federation. Service providers independently determine which persons are authorized to use the service. In particular, it may be necessary to sign a bilateral usage agreement with a service provider.
  To join as organization with members please contact us.