Secure online exchange of digital identification

A communications network enabling a plurality of entities to obtain digital information from one another, which communications network includes a plurality of systems which are mutual peers on the network configured and arranged to operate as agents for respective entities, wherein the plurality of such agents includes a first agent for a first said entity requiring an item of said digital information and a second agent for accessing the information item, and wherein said first and second agents have individual policies defining standards for their management of said digital information and a common operating protocol whereby: said first entity initiates an information exchange process by entering a request for the required information item on the first agent, the first agent connects to the second agent and the first and second agents then engage in a conversation in which they request and exchange germane data.