Identity and access management (IAM) solutions regulate user permissions on their systems by providing or denying them of such. For quite a long time, traditional identity management systems were the pillars of digital authentication. These systems normally refer to a centralized power in identity Active Directory or any other as an authority that identifies and manages users.
Though the traditional identity management has performed its intended role, it is tagged with some limitations. One of the key weaknesses is an overreliance on a central authority, which might become a point for collapse. If this central authority is breached then it puts the entire network at risk. Further, users have little say over their identity and depend on third parties to administer digital credentials.
Limitations of the conventional identity management
In recent years, the limitation has become clearer day by day for traditional identity management systems. A major challenge is the demand for interoperability between various systems. For instance many users are required to register separate accounts and remember several login credentials, which can be used just for accessing different services. However, classical password systems lead to exposure and paper-based storage causes inconvenience when reused – also increasing the likelihood of data breaches.
Privacy is a second limitation. With centralized control of identity, users are compelled to submit personal details with the controlling authority where universal data security and confidentiality is a matter for consideration. Furthermore, conventional systems place enormous trust in central agent which can be misused by someone to access the personal information of a user.
What is decentralized identity?
Decentralized identity can act as an effective replacement for the identities provided by legacy systems. Decentralized identity is at its core about the end users getting ownership and control over their digital credentials. In taking advantage of blockchain technology and distributed ledger systems, decentralized identity provides verifiable mechanisms for managing identities.
In decentralized identity management, users own and manage their credentials including digital documents in cloud or securely on-board devices. These credentials are cryptographically sealed and offer partial disclosure of identities to the third party when there is no central authority where these credits can be validated or controlled.
Benefits of decentralized identity
First of all, it grants users full rights to their personal identity. The users decide what information to share and with whom thus, do not need lure their confidence on the basis of a central power that holds their data.
Second, with the use of DId privacy can be secured. By cryptographic protocols, users can provide their identities while not disclosing personal information.
There is also improved security. To ensure identity credentials integrity, decentralized identity systems use blockchain technology; its non-alterability and incorruptibility. This privilege takes advantage of which makes it challenging for attackers to change the identities or fake an identity, this increases security.
Active Directory and Decentralized Identity
As to the main differences between conventional identity management and decentralized one, it should be said that control has become a quite important feature here. In a conventional identity management solution, control over ID is centralized to an Identity Active Directory as the sole authority. Conversely, decentralized identity returns control to the individual and organizations.
Decentralized identity empowers individuals to control their own identities in the electronic world and who poses which information. Grant power to users and disperse the authority of overseeing entities, decreasing risks such as identity thefts or data breaches.
Enabling Users to Control Their Digital Attributes.
Decentralized identity is the revolution in identity management and gives to users greater control on their digital credentials. However, although the traditional identity management systems fulfilled their purpose to a certain extent there has now been an evident rise in problems such as vulnerabilities related with centralized authority.
Incorporating blockchain technology and distributed ledger systems, through which user-centered identities are used to manage their profiles. It provides a number of advantages such as better privacy, additional security and fewer convenient authorities.
