Digital Identity and Self-Sovereign Identity: The Secure Authentication Model of the Future

What is Digital ID?

Digital ID is a concept that defines individuals' personal data and identity information in an electronic environment. This identity can be evaluated in a wide range from official documents issued by the state to photos uploaded to social media accounts. For example, a photo you share on a social media platform can be a part of your digital identity, while your ID number used for banking transactions, date of birth or address are among the more sensitive and protected information.

Today, individuals want to manage their digital identities not only to prove their identities, but also to selectively share certain information.

This is where the concept of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) comes into play.

What is Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)?

Self-Sovereign identity is a system that gives individuals full control over their digital identities. In this model, individuals can manage their identity information without being dependent on a central authority and can only share the necessary information. SSI is supported by Blockchain technology, which increases security and helps individuals protect their data more securely.

How does this system work? First, a user receives an ID or certificate issued by an organization. This certificate is secured by Blockchain technology and stored in the user's cold wallet (a digital storage area stored offline). There is no direct personal data on the Blockchain, only cryptographic evidence that verifies the authenticity of this certificate.

This way, the user does not have to share all of their information when verifying their identity. For example:

• Age verification: Instead of providing your date of birth when registering on a website, you can only verify that you are "over 18".
• Financial transactions: When taking out a loan from a bank, you can only prove that your income level is above a certain level, without sharing your full salary information.
• Education certificates: In job applications, you can show that your university degree is real, but you do not have to disclose all the details on your diploma.

Advantages of SSI

1. Privacy and Security: Users can verify their identity by sharing only the necessary information, thus preventing unnecessary data leaks.
2. Decentralization: While traditional identity verification systems require an institution to store data, SSI allows users to control their own data.
3. Easy to Use: Instead of repeated verification processes, the identity information obtained once can be easily used in many places.
4. Blockchain Security: Since the information is secured on a distributed Blockchain network, not in a central database, protection against manipulation or forgery is provided.

As personal data becomes increasingly valuable today, how individuals manage this data becomes of great importance. SSI provides a more secure and transparent digital identity verification process by giving users full control over their own identities. Thanks to Blockchain-supported cold wallets, individuals can verify their identities whenever they want, by sharing as much information as they want. This offers a much more secure solution compared to traditional identity systems.

Author: F. Gül?ah D?ZAR