Identity is an essential factor in our modern-day lives from individuals to businesses, and even in the supply chain and sustainability domains. This is the view of Christine Leong, Chief Information Officer at nChain who was speaking at the recent Technology of Tomorrow Conference in Warsaw, Poland.
In the era of rapidly advancing technology, identity has taken on new dimensions, extending far beyond the traditional understanding of personal identification documents, Leong said. She points out that digital identity is no longer just about individuals but extends to things like houses, environmental assets, and even mundane items like fridges and cars.
She argues that trust and verification become paramount as we progress into an era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. How do we ensure that our smart appliances are making the right decisions and acting with our explicit consent?
Moreover, the rise of deep fakes raises concerns about the authenticity of identities, emphasising the need for robust and reliable identity verification mechanisms. In the face of these challenges, Leong urges the technology community to start thinking about implementing identity solutions that are not only secure and privacy-focused but also user-centric and inclusive.
Paving the way for a user-centric digital identity future
Drawing from personal experiences and global perspectives, Leong points out the disparities in identity systems across different countries and highlights the significance of offering choice in data sharing. People have varying levels of comfort with sharing personal information, and respecting individual preferences is crucial for achieving a truly user-centric approach to digital identity.
Leong emphasises the need for a better and more efficient way of managing identity in the digital world, moving away from paper-based systems that are incompatible with the fast-paced, interconnected nature of the web3 environment. The ideal future of digital identity lies in a user-centric design, where individuals have control over what information they share and with whom. Such a system should be seamless, user-friendly, and universally accepted across various platforms and organisations.
The role of blockchain for digital identity
In the pursuit of a more effective digital identity system, blockchain emerges as a fundamental infrastructure, providing the necessary trust and decentralisation. Leong clarifies that blockchain, in the context of identity, acts as a decentralised public key infrastructure, allowing for verifiable and secure data sharing without direct connectivity between parties.
By using blockchain as a directory, individuals can maintain control over their credentials and share them securely with others, eliminating the need for repetitive verification processes.
However, Leong also acknowledges the importance of standardisation in the adoption of blockchain-based identity solutions. A cohesive approach is necessary to ensure interoperability and compatibility among different systems, making it easier for end-users to adopt and utilise these technologies seamlessly.
Handling privacy, security and other issues
As the world moves toward web3, which emphasises data ownership and sovereignty, Leong stresses the significance of enabling selective disclosure of information. Users should have the freedom to manage and share specific aspects of their identity with different entities without compromising their overall privacy and security.
Leong also highlights the potential for blockchain-based identity solutions to impact a wide range of use cases, including employment, supply chain management, and asset ownership. By integrating identity with assets on the blockchain, the ownership and provenance of assets can be seamlessly verified and trusted.
Leong acknowledges the challenges posed by future technologies, such as post-quantum computing, and emphasises the importance of continuous research and innovation to ensure the ongoing security and integrity of digital identities.
