Dr. Stefan Brands
Principal Architect, Identity & Security Division
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft and the Identity Metasystem

Dr. Stefan Brands is a Principal Architect in Microsoft's Identity & Security Division in Redmond. In this capacity he contributes broadly to the company's technical and strategic efforts relating to identity, privacy, and security. Stefan joined Microsoft in February 2008 following the company's acquisition of Credentica. Stefan is also an Adjunct Professor in cryptography at McGill University, serves on the advisory board of public interest research center EPIC, and has served on the external advisory board of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Prior to joining Microsoft, Stefan worked at e-cash pioneer DigiCash, at Zero-Knowledge Systems (privacy technology), and at Credentica (user-centric identity technology). Stefan is the author of a book on user-centric identity via minimal disclosure tokens, published in 2000 by The MIT Press and freely available as a download from www.credentica.com/the_mit_pressbook.php.

At Microsoft Canada Co., we recognize that privacy is a critical element in helping to secure the computing experience. Computer privacy and security are industry-wide issues that are becoming more critical as personal computers and other devices become pervasive in our lives and work.  In 2002, Microsoft Chairman and  Chief Software Architect Bill Gates launched the company’s Trustworthy Computing initiative, Microsoft’s pledge to make security, privacy, reliability and business integrity its top priorities across all elements of the business. We believe that every individual and business that uses the Internet has a stake in, deserves, and should expect a more secure and private Internet experience. Learn more about Microsoft Canada’s Trustworthy Computing initiatives at http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/.