Huda Seyam, Adib Habbal

A Systematic Review of Blockchain-based Identity Management Solutions

Introduction

A systematic review of blockchain-based identity management solutions. Systematic review of Blockchain-based identity management solutions. Explore distributed, user-centric IDMS for self-sovereign identity, analyzing architectures to enhance digital security.

Abstract

The involvement of digital identity in almost all online services contributes to the growing reliance on Identity Management Systems (IDMS) that establish, verify, and manage digital identities. However, digital identities are still kept in central repositories. Which are controlled by a single authority that may have many vulnerabilities due to low security, leading attackers to exploit these vulnerabilities and causing various security breaches such as identity theft or disclosure of sensitive information. Additionally, powerful entities who have access to these repositories, could gather and abuse users' information without their knowledge or consent. The concept of Self-sovereign Identity (SSI) allows users to exert ownership of their identity and gain insight into how their data is being used. The development of Blockchain technology has made a breakthrough in achieving SSI by giving individuals the ability to be the final arbiter of who can access and use their own identity. This paper overviews the traditional identity management (IdM) models and presents the next generation of distributed IDMS using Blockchain technology that targets user-centricity and eliminates the identity provider as a trusted third party. Furthermore, It gives an analysis of the recent Blockchain-based IdM solutions, discussing their architecture, components, and features. It also, reveals their weaknesses to identify the gaps between these solutions for future secure IDMS. 

Review

This systematic review addresses a highly pertinent and critical issue in the digital landscape: the vulnerabilities inherent in traditional, centralized Identity Management Systems (IDMS). The abstract effectively frames the problem, highlighting risks such as identity theft and data abuse due to single points of control. It clearly establishes the compelling need for decentralized, user-centric approaches, specifically leveraging Blockchain technology to enable Self-sovereign Identity (SSI). The paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing IdM models, introduce the next generation of Blockchain-based distributed IDMS, and critically analyze recent solutions concerning their architecture, components, and features. The value proposition of this review lies in its systematic approach to a complex and rapidly evolving domain. By analyzing a range of recent Blockchain-based IdM solutions, the paper promises to offer valuable insights into the state-of-the-art, detailing how these systems aim to achieve user-centricity and eliminate reliance on traditional, fallible identity providers. A particular strength appears to be the intention to dissect the architectural components and features of these solutions, which is crucial for understanding their operational mechanisms and potential. The explicit goal of revealing weaknesses and identifying gaps is commendable, as this forms a vital foundation for guiding future research and development towards more robust and secure IDMS. While the abstract outlines a strong framework, a comprehensive review would benefit from a clear articulation of the systematic review methodology employed, including the search strategy, selection criteria, and data extraction process. For a deeper impact, the discussion of weaknesses and gaps could explicitly categorize them (e.g., scalability, interoperability, regulatory compliance, usability, energy consumption) and potentially propose a taxonomy for future solutions. Consideration of practical implementation challenges, such as user adoption barriers and the integration with legacy systems, would also enhance the review's practical relevance and provide a holistic perspective for practitioners and researchers alike.

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