What Is a Decentralized Identifier (DID)?
A Decentralized Identifier (DID) is a type of digital identifier that allows users to securely and privately store information about themselves on the blockchain. DIDs are designed to be self-sovereign, meaning they can be used without relying on any third party or centralized authority for authentication. This makes them ideal for use in applications such as identity verification, data sharing, and secure communication.
Unlike traditional identifiers like Social Security numbers or driver’s license numbers which require an external entity to verify their authenticity, DIDs are cryptographically signed by the user who created them. This ensures that only the owner of the DID has access to it and its associated data. Additionally, because these identifiers exist on a distributed ledger system such as Ethereum or Hyperledger Fabric, they cannot be tampered with or deleted without permission from all parties involved in their creation. As a result, DIDs provide users with greater control over how their personal information is stored and shared online while also providing enhanced security against malicious actors attempting to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The DID Framework
The DID Framework is a comprehensive framework for developing and deploying distributed identity systems. It provides an open source platform that enables organizations to securely manage digital identities across multiple platforms, networks, and devices. The framework consists of three main components: the Identity Provider (IdP), the Digital Identity Manager (DIM) and the Access Control Server (ACS).
The IdP component allows users to register their digital identities with a trusted third-party provider such as Microsoft or Google. This registration process ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data stored in the system. The DIM component stores user information such as name, address, email address etc., while also providing secure authentication methods like two-factor authentication or biometric verification. Finally, the ACS component manages access control policies by allowing administrators to define who has access to what resources within an organization’s network infrastructure. By using this framework, organizations can ensure that all users have secure access to their data without compromising security or privacy standards set forth by regulatory bodies like HIPAA or GDPR.