A Blockchain and Self-Sovereign Identity Empowered Digital Identity Platform

• Published in: 2021 International Conference on Computer Communications and Networks (ICCCN) pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Bandara, Eranga, Liang, Xueping, Foytik, Peter, Shetty, Sachin, Zoysa, Kasun De
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.07.2021
• Subjects: Banking; Blockchain; Buildings; Cloud computing; Data breach; Data privacy; Government; Medical services; Self-Sovereign Identity; Zero-Knowledge Proof
• ISSN: 2637-9430
• DOI: 10.1109/ICCCN52240.2021.9522184

Most of the existing identity systems are built on top of centralized storage systems. Storing identity data on these types of centralized storage platforms(e.g cloud storage, central servers) becomes a major privacy concern since various types of attacks and data breaches can happen. With this research, we are proposing blockchain and self-sovereign identity based digital identity (KYC - Know Your Customer) platform "Casper" to address the issues on centralized identity systems. "Casper " is an Android/iOS based mobile identity wallet application that combines the integration of blockchain and a self-sovereign identity-based approach. Unlike centralized identity systems, the actual identities of the customer/users are stored in the customers' mobile wallet application. The proof of these identities is stored in the blockchain-based decentralized storage as a self-sovereign identity proof. Casper platforms' Self-Sovereign Identity(SSI)-based system provides a Zero Knowledge Proof(ZKP) mechanism to verify the identity information. Casper platform can be adopted in various domains such as healthcare, banking, government organization etc. As a use case, we have discussed building a digital identity wallet for banking customers with the Casper platform. Casper provides a secure, decentralized and ZKP verifiable identity by using blockchain and SSI based approach. It addresses the common issues in centralized/cloud-based identity systems platforms such as the lack of data immutability, lack of traceability, centralized control etc.