Applying Blockchain to Decentralized Identity

The purpose of this SBIR Proposal is to conduct the basic research that will result in a specific method by which blockchain technology can provide a decentralized foundation for privacy-respecting identity management infrastructure. Respect Network will research and develop a decentralized registry and discovery service for Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) to integrate with the public blockchain. DIDs will allow principals to directly control their own identities with cryptographic proofs and secure, addressable network endpoints. DIDs will enable a Decentralized Identity Management (DIDM) infrastructure that will empower people and organizations to securely and confidentially manage and assert their identities. Open standards and established industry protocols will permit principals to selectively disclose identity claims, and to manage their privacy and digital relationships. Respect Network's thesis is that the combination of DIDs and DIDM architecture, using public and/or private blockchains as "identity backbones", can meet traditional information security principles of confidentiality, integrity, availability, non-repudiation and provenance. Further, our approach applies privacy-by-design principles, including user control, selective disclosure of information and pseudonymity. This proposal presents the basic research challenges that need to be accomplished to harness the science and technology of DIDs, and to integrate DIDs into DIDM infrastructure that serves both individuals and enterprises. Our proposed effort and deliverables will present and answer critical questions related to security and privacy. Results of our research will enable the development and demonstration of prototypes in future R&D phases for Homeland Security Enterprise applications, and for commercial products.