Identity assurance level
A NIST measure of how rigorously a person's claimed identity was proofed.
An identity assurance level, or IAL, is a measure in NIST's Digital Identity Guidelines of how rigorously a person's claimed identity was established during identity proofing. Higher levels require stronger evidence and stricter verification, including supervised or in-person checks at the top level. A service chooses the level it needs from its risk assessment, and the level achieved at enrolment limits how much can later be delegated to an agent.
Agent Minute explains this term on 3 December 2026.
Related terms
Identity proofingCollecting, validating and verifying information about a person to establish that they are who they claim to be.Authenticator assurance levelA NIST measure of how strongly an authentication process confirms that the same subject is returning.Digital identityThe unique representation of a subject, such as a person or organisation, engaged in an online transaction.Know Your Agent (KYA)Checking which agent is acting, who operates it and whom it acts for, before letting it act.