A Framework for Online Document Verification Using Self-Sovereign Identity Technology

Abstract

As the world is gradually moving towards digitization, forgery of vital digital documents has become relatively easy. Therefore, the need for efficient and secure verification and authentication practices of digital documents is also increasing. Self-sovereign identity (SSI) is a set of technologies that build on core concepts in identity management, blockchain technology, and cryptography. SSI enables entities to create fraud-proof verifiable credentials and instantly verify the authenticity of a digital credential. The online document verification solutions must deal with a myriad of issues in regard to privacy and security. Moreover, various challenging and tedious processes have made document verification overly complex and time-consuming which motivated us to conduct this research. This work presents a novel framework for online document verification based on SSI technology. The solution address the complexity and interoperability issues that are present in the current digital document verification systems. We look at a particular use case, i.e., document verification in online loan processing and evaluate how this proposed approach can make an impact on the existing system. Our solution based on SSI standards replaces the intermediary and enables trust between players in the ecosystem. The technology also holds the potential to make the system more efficient, interoperable, and privacy-preserving.

A Taxonomy of Challenges for Self-Sovereign Identity Systems

“…This challenge has been highlighted as the driving problem in several research papers [8], [163], [164]. Although there are initiatives to integrate SSI with federated identity management protocols such as OpenID Connect [46], [136], [165], FIDO [166], [167], SAML [168], and national eID solutions [105], [169], notable challenges remain, and further research is needed to address them.…”

Blockchain-Based Dynamic Consent and its Applications for Patient-Centric Research and Health Information Sharing: Protocol for an Integrative Review

“…Moreover, there is a need for critical appraisal of approaches that capitalize on blockchain’s abilities to empower individuals in managing their digital data and identities. For example, self-sovereign identity (SSI) seems particularly pertinent for ongoing authentication and authorization in patient-centric research collaborations [ 16 ].…”

A blockchain-based computerized network infrastructure for the transparent, immutable calculation and dissemination of quantitative, measurable parameters of academic and medical research publications

“…Such systems are already used in non-medical encrypted systems based on efficient and secure verification and authentication such as online loan processing. 6 The realm of PHI would be an even more worthwhile domain for the implementation of such methodologies: different algorithms and software architecture were suggested for storing and sharing encrypted patient data and at the same time enabling safer and easier patient identification procedures in a decentralized manner. 7 , 8 Algorithms aimed at accessibility of blockchain technology to resource-constrained organizations are offered, 9 and the integration of mHealth (mobile) into the general eHealth system is also sought.…”

“…For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 10 drugs are fake or substandard. 11 A decentralized approach will allow for more accurate tracing of original medications as the progress of the medication can be updated by different health providers.…”