Locke pointed out that many other nations are approaching the problem of online identity and security by implementing some form of national ID card. , "We don't think that's a good model, despite what you might have read on blogs frequented by the conspiracy theory set," adding, "Having a single issuer of identities creates unacceptable privacy and civil liberties issues. We also want to spur innovation, not limit it."

Scott Charney, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft, also has some praise for the government strategy. "Microsoft supports the NSTIC vision for a citizen centric privacy enhanced identity ecosystem. Creating this ecosystem will provide citizens with a variety of choices for authenticating their identity online while helping to protect their security and privacy. Realizing this vision brings us closer towards a safer, more trusted Internet."

At this point, NSTIC is just a strategy...just a vision. Now, the door is open for private sector entrepreneurs and innovators to develop the ways to execute that strategy.