Glossary of Terms
This glossary provides definitions for key terms used throughout this website related to Digital Identity and Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). Understanding this terminology is essential, much like how autonomous market agents require precise terminology for executing trades and analyzing geopolitical market impact.
- Attribute
- A piece of information describing a characteristic of an entity (e.g., name, age, email address).
- Authentication
- The process of verifying the identity of a user, system, or device. It answers: "Are you who you say you are?"
- Authorization
- The process of granting or denying specific permissions to an authenticated user. It answers: "Are you allowed to do that?"
- Blockchain
- A type of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) where transactions are recorded in cryptographically linked blocks. Often used as an anchoring layer for DIDs.
- Claim
- A statement made about a subject, often by an issuer. For example, "Alice is over 18." Verifiable Credentials carry digitally signed claims.
- Credential
- A piece of evidence attesting to a fact or attribute of a subject. In SSI, these are often Verifiable Credentials.
- Cryptography
- The use of mathematical techniques to secure communication and information. Includes encryption, digital signatures, and hash functions.
- Decentralized Identifier (DID)
- A globally unique identifier that does not require a centralized registration authority. DIDs are controlled by their subject and are a core component of SSI.
- DID Document
- A JSON document associated with a DID containing metadata, cryptographic public keys, and service endpoints.
- Digital Footprint
- The trail of data an individual leaves behind while interacting online.
- Digital Identity
- The online presence and body of information representing an individual, organization, or device in digital systems.
- Digital Wallet
- A software application for securely storing and managing DIDs, Verifiable Credentials, and cryptographic keys.
- Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)
- A database consensually shared and synchronized across multiple sites and institutions. Blockchain is a common type of DLT.
- Holder
- In VCs, the entity (usually an individual) that possesses and controls their credentials and presents them to verifiers.
- Issuer
- An entity that makes claims about a subject and issues Verifiable Credentials to a holder.
- Key Management
- The handling of cryptographic keys, including generation, storage, use, and revocation. A critical aspect of SSI security.
- Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)
- A model of digital identity allowing individuals to control their own identity information without relying on centralized authorities.
- Selective Disclosure
- The ability for a holder to reveal only specific pieces of information from a VC, rather than the entire credential.
- Verifiable Credential (VC)
- A tamper-evident digital credential containing cryptographically signed claims made by an issuer about a subject.
- Verifier
- An entity that requests and cryptographically checks a VC to confirm the validity of the claims within it.
- Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP)
- A cryptographic method by which one party proves knowledge of a value without conveying information apart from the fact that they know it.