Deloitte launches smart identity prototype for blockchain
Stephen Marshall, Deloitte UK
Deloitte UK’s blockchain team has launched a “smart identity” prototype at the Consensus blockchain conference in New York.
The solution will allow users to create a universal digital identity powered by blockchain. It is at the proof of concept stage and Deloitte wants to work with other businesses (in all sectors) to develop it further.
Smart identity will function as a digital account containing the information and credentials needed for “trusted” digital interaction.
Stephen Marshall, head of financial services technology, Deloitte UK, says its analysis and experimentation in blockchain technology led the firm to the question of identity.
He says: “New distributed platforms are set to rewire our digital economy and in order to make the most of this opportunity, we must first solve the problem of digital identity.”
Marshall adds there are “many obstacles that must be overcome before we see a standardised identity solution in place”.
Deloitte is developing a number of initial applications for smart identity, including:
- Access management, using a single digital key to access any identity-restricted location, from website single sign-on, to physical buildings, smart vehicles and ticketed locations such as event venues or aeroplanes;
- Automated identification and verification of customers, including people, organisations, and robots, either at sign-up or on a real time transactional basis;
- Identification and tracking of assets of any form, from vehicles and property to pharmaceutical products and commodities such as oil or farming produce;
- Transactions, empowering devices or “things” to obtain and transact using recognisable and standardised identity, enabling them to manage assets and to securely interact with other devices, people, or organisations;
- Digitisation of traditional identity components such as driving licences and passports, into a single, versatile digital record.
