Tools

Tools of SSI

The SSI topics that have been discussed so far are pieces of code that exist on the internet. They are intentionally designed to be machine readable and are therefore not very user friendly. In order to make these items more human readable and down right usable, we need an interface designed for humans.

Digital Wallets

A Digital Wallet is the human interface to SSI. The wallet can take several forms, like an app on your phone or a browser extension. Digital wallets can be used to:

  1. Receiving Credentials: When a user receives a credential from an issuer (e.g., a university issuing a diploma), the credential is stored in the digital wallet.
  2. Managing Credentials: Users can organize and manage their credentials within the wallet, ensuring they are up-to-date and valid.
  3. Presenting Credentials: When a user needs to prove their identity or qualifications, they can present the relevant credential from their wallet to a verifier (e.g., a potential employer).
  4. Secure Communication: Digital wallets often support secure communication protocols, allowing users to interact with other entities in the SSI ecosystem securely.

Digital Agents

Unlike a wallet that is highly mobile and can go off line and come back at any time, a digital agent is a bit more permanent in nature. Think of it more as a server that needs to run 24/7. Your agent could run a protocol like DIDComm to allow communication between agents.

Key functions of a digital agent include:

  1. 24/7 Availability: Digital agents are designed to run continuously, ensuring that they can handle requests and perform tasks at any time.

  2. Protocol Management: Digital agents can manage and execute various SSI protocols, such as DIDComm, to facilitate secure and reliable communication between different entities.

  3. Credential Management: Similar to digital wallets, digital agents can store, manage, and present credentials. However, they do so in a more automated and scalable manner.

  4. Automation: Digital agents can automate routine tasks, such as credential issuance, verification, and updates, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Verifiable Data Registry (VDR)

Governance Architecture Spec