Identity 2.0 technologies are leading the way in identity management, according to research from industry analysts.

Analyst group Kuppinger Cole and Partner analysed the 10 predominant topics and trends in identity management in 2008.

Identity 2.0 continues to receive the support and influence of industry giants, including Yahoo, Google, Microsoft and IBM.

Identity 2.0 platforms are classified as identity verification techniques on the internet using emerging user-centric technologies such as information cards or OpenID.

However, there is a growing "superstructure" of governance, risk management and compliance which has become the driving force in identity management.

This is having a strong impact on the change from administration-focused to business-orientated identity management.

Other trends include open systems, service-oriented architectures and identity and access management growing together, and authentication in the context of the user.

"Some developmental aspects of identity management have already raised interest levels in the past few weeks, such as HP's exit from the market," said Martin Kuppinger, founder and senior partner at Kuppinger Cole.

Another factor is substantially improved support for OpenID as one of the most important standards of Identity 2.0, an aspect that is focused on the end user.

"There are several other developments in identity management that are not as prevalent, but that will have an effect on IT development in general and could become a matter of wider public interest and discussion," said Kuppinger.