Identity Assurance Level 3 (IAL3)

Identity Assurance Level 3 (IAL3) represents the highest confidence degree in the identity proofing process as defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in NIST 800-63-3. NIST, a key governing body in cybersecurity, established the framework for Identity Assurance Levels (IALs) to standardize how digital identities are verified and trusted across different applications. While IAL1 permits self-asserted attributes and IAL2 requires more substantial evidence and validation, IAL3 is reserved for scenarios where the highest assurance is essential, like in sensitive healthcare, government, and financial services applications. This level establishes a rigorous framework to ensure that the asserted identity truly matches the individual presenting it.

The defining feature of IAL3 is the requirement for in-person identity proofing or a remote identity proofing process with stringent oversight, ensuring the use of superior evidence such as government-issued documents validated with authoritative sources. Unlike the lower levels, which may allow for less stringent checks, IAL3 often incorporates biometric comparison into the verification process. This ensures that the claimed digital identity not only exists, but is uniquely tied to the person presenting themselves. Combining document validation, biometric verification, and direct oversight provides the assurance needed to reduce the risks of impersonation or fraud.

To achieve IAL3 compliance, organizations must implement advanced security measures that verify the legitimacy of the provided credentials and associate them with the correct individual. These measures may include multi-factor checks, real-time document validation, and biometric comparison. The heightened requirements mean that IAL3 is not necessary for all applications; however, in high-risk environments — such as controlled access to sensitive data or regulated healthcare services — it provides an unmatched level of identity assurance. The level’s rigor ensures organizations can confidently assert an individual’s identity without ambiguity, reducing exposure to fraud or unauthorized access.

In practical terms, access management systems that rely on IAL3 strengthen trust between relying parties and end-users, particularly in industries where regulatory and security expectations are highest. Healthcare organizations, for example, increasingly require strong identity proofing to safeguard patient records, prevent fraud, and meet compliance mandates. Solutions such as Imprivata Patient Access support these needs by enabling secure, high-assurance identity proofing workflows, while innovations like face authentication deliver a seamless biometric comparison process that aligns with the requirements of IAL3. Together, these tools enable organizations to meet the highest standards of digital identity assurance while maintaining user convenience.