Empowering Education with Entrust: The Future of Smart ID Solutions Lies in Hybrid Identity
As education evolves in a digitally connected world, institutions face increasing pressure to secure access, streamline operations, and enhance user experiences for students, staff, and visitors. At the heart of this transformation is the need for a smarter, more flexible identity management strategy — one that blends both physical ID cards and cloud-based digital identities.
Entrust, a global leader in trusted identities, provides the essential infrastructure to achieve this balance. With both cloud-native IIDaaS (Instant Identity as a Service) and industry-leading ID card printers, Entrust empowers educational institutions to deliver seamless, secure identity experiences that scale across campus environments.
Why Identity Still Matters in Education
From campus access and attendance tracking to library systems, cashless payments, and exam verification, identity is the backbone of daily life in educational settings. But the question is no longer whether to digitise — it’s how to do it without losing the familiarity and security of physical credentials.
Enter the hybrid identity model — a solution where Entrust’s IIDaaS platform and Entrust card issuance systems work in harmony to:
- Modernise access
- Reduce security risk
- Enable mobile-first experiences
- Preserve operational continuity
Entrust IIDaaS: Digital Identity for the Modern Campus
Entrust’s Instant Identity as a Service (IIDaaS) is a cloud-native platform designed for institutions that demand high security and scalability without added complexity.
Key benefits for education customers include:
- Secure Cloud Credentialing: Instantly issue and revoke mobile or virtual credentials to students and staff.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Protect access to portals, Wi-Fi, and applications with biometrics, push notifications, or time-based tokens.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Simplify access to learning platforms like Moodle, Canvas, Office 365, and more with unified login.
- Risk-Based Access Policies: Automatically adjust authentication methods based on context (e.g., location, device, behaviour).
- Self-Service Portals: Empower users to manage their credentials, reset passwords, or request new cards via a branded, easy-to-use interface.
Whether it’s granting a new student mobile access to a dorm or protecting administrative systems, Entrust IIDaaS enables centralised, secure identity management without adding administrative burden.
Entrust Card Issuance: The Physical Side of Smart Identity
While digital identity is accelerating, physical ID cards still have essential roles on campus — and Entrust is equally strong here.
Entrust’s Sigma Series ID Card Printers, available through partners like Cards-X, offer:
- Instant, On-Demand Card Printing: From student IDs to visitor badges, cards can be printed securely in minutes.
- Secure Card Personalisation: With features like UV ink, holographic laminates, and embedded chips, institutions can ensure high-security credentials.
- Touchless Card Issuance Workflows: Integrate card printing into online enrolment or pre-registration for smooth onboarding.
- Integration with IIDaaS: Connect the physical and digital worlds — print cards and issue mobile credentials from the same unified platform.
This dual capability supports every user scenario — whether someone prefers a mobile ID, requires a physical badge, or uses both.
Why Co-Existence Is the Smart Strategy
A hybrid approach isn’t just practical — it’s strategic. Here’s why combining Entrust’s cloud and card solutions makes sense:
| Challenge | Hybrid ID Benefit |
| Lost phone or dead battery | Use physical card as backup |
| Visitor or temporary access | Instant issue printed ID cards or digital passes |
| Low-tech users or staff | Offer familiar card formats |
| Offline access needs | Physical cards work without connectivity |
| Sustainability goals | Reduce reprints by transitioning to mobile over time |
Instead of replacing one system with another, institutions can extend and enhance current processes — improving user experience, strengthening security, and reducing long-term costs.
How to Get Started
- Audit Current Infrastructure – Assess where Entrust IIDaaS and card printing systems can plug into existing workflows.
- Pilot Smart Credentials – Start with one department or building, issuing both card and digital credentials to evaluate performance.
- Train and Onboard – Use Entrust’s intuitive self-service portals to simplify adoption for students and staff.
- Scale Seamlessly – Expand your hybrid identity solution campus-wide with cloud-powered automation.
Conclusion: Entrust Is the Ideal Partner for Education Identity
Educational institutions no longer have to choose between the past and the future. With Entrust’s hybrid identity solutions, they can harness the strengths of both the physical and digital worlds. From real-time mobile credentialing to high-security on-demand ID printing, Entrust delivers an end-to-end identity experience tailored for the dynamic needs of today’s smart campuses.
Cards-X is a certified Entrust Gold Solution Provider with deep expertise in the education sector. We offer a complete suite of hardware, software, and support services, enabling schools and universities to confidently modernise their identity infrastructure — all while maintaining the highest standards of security, usability, and flexibility.
👉 Contact us today to schedule a consultation or request a demo of Entrust's powerful identity solutions for education.