#basics_ SSI: new standard for digital authentication?

Self Sovereign Identity: a New Model for Verifying User Identity Online._

In recent decades, digitization has profoundly transformed the way we interact with the world. With the increase in online transactions, the need for a secure and reliable digital identity has become increasingly apparent. This is where the concept of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) comes into play, a new way of interpreting digital authentication and privacy.

Self-Sovereign Identity is based on the idea that every individual should have complete and autonomous control over their own digital identity, without having to rely on central authorities or intermediaries.

I have often talked about decentralization and the need to bypass a central entity; the same happens when blockchain and identity are combined under the umbrella of SSI. Digital identity thus becomes "sovereignly" controlled and managed by the individual themselves, rather than external entities such as governments, financial institutions, or companies.

It is important to mention this new model in light of the recent approval of the new eIDAS 2 regulation on digital identification, which aims to return data sovereignty to the hands of citizens.

Unlike traditional digital identity systems, where personal information is stored and managed centrally by third parties, with the risk of privacy breaches and identity theft, the SSI model is based on decentralized technologies, such as blockchain, to allow individuals to have direct control over their own information.

This new model is based on some key elements, such as:

? User control: information is digitally held within a wallet, and the individual user has full control over it;

? Verifiable credentials: user credentials, i.e., personal information tracked within a document, are digitized and held within a digital wallet;

? Issuer: entity that issues digital credentials. Unlike a centralized model, in the SSI model, anyone can issue digital credentials, opening up new opportunities and possibilities for businesses;

? Portability: digital identity should be easily transferable between different contexts and services, without depending on a single organization or platform;

? Selective disclosure: the user can decide which information to share and with whom to share it, even at the cost of not being able to access a particular service;

? Interoperability: identity systems should be able to communicate and collaborate effectively, allowing for wide adoption and seamless interaction between different services and platforms.

Although still in an extremely embryonic phase, this new identification model has the potential to revolutionize numerous sectors and use cases:

? Financial services: simplification of customer onboarding processes, secure authentication for transactions, and reduction of fraud;

? Health: secure and private exchange of health information between patients, doctors, and healthcare providers;

? Education: verification of academic and professional credentials securely and reliably;

? Governmental identification: provision of secure and portable digital identities for citizens, reducing bureaucracy, and improving access to public services.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows, of course, and some challenges and ethical considerations need to be addressed, such as security. A blockchain-based model entails the correct preservation of the private key: a potential loss or security breach could compromise the user's entire digital identity.

Furthermore, widespread adoption of Self-Sovereign Identity requires collaboration and interoperability among a wide range of actors, including governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations. As configured, the model finds it difficult to be applicable unless reasoned at a systemic level.

Nevertheless, with the growing awareness of the importance of privacy and security online, Self-Sovereign Identity could soon become a fundamental standard for digital authentication, allowing individuals to navigate the digital world safely, privately, and sovereignly.