4,296 research outputs found
The Horcrux Protocol: A Method for Decentralized Biometric-based Self-sovereign Identity
Most user authentication methods and identity proving systems rely on a
centralized database. Such information storage presents a single point of
compromise from a security perspective. If this system is compromised it poses
a direct threat to users' digital identities. This paper proposes a
decentralized authentication method, called the Horcrux protocol, in which
there is no such single point of compromise. The protocol relies on
decentralized identifiers (DIDs) under development by the W3C Verifiable Claims
Community Group and the concept of self-sovereign identity. To accomplish this,
we propose specification and implementation of a decentralized biometric
credential storage option via blockchains using DIDs and DID documents within
the IEEE 2410-2017 Biometric Open Protocol Standard (BOPS)
Enhancing Privacy for Biometric Identification Cards
Most developed countries have started the implementation of biometric electronic identification cards, especially passports. The European Union and the United States of America struggle to introduce and standardize these electronic documents. Due to the personal nature of the biometric elements used for the generation of these cards, privacy issues were raised on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, leading to civilian protests and concerns. The lack of transparency from the public authorities responsible with the implementation of such identification systems, and the poor technological approaches chosen by these authorities, are the main reasons for the negative popularity of the new identification methods. The following article shows an approach that provides all the benefits of modern technological advances in the fields of biometrics and cryptography, without sacrificing the privacy of those that will be the beneficiaries of the new systemsecurity, smart card, identification, passport, biometrics, public key infrastructure, government, identification
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