Microsoft ION -Decentralized Identity
What is Microsoft ION ?
Identity Overlay Network that runs on top of Bitcoin network (layer 2) to provide Decentralized Identity .
Microsoft Identity Overlay Network(ION) :
- ION runs on Layer 2 — Bitcoin network using Sidetree Protocol
- ION is a public , permissionless Decentralized Identifier network
- ION meets the standard of SSI and it’s in convention with DIF -https://identity.foundation/
A side note , Its not a cryptocurrency or related to any of token but uses ledger to create DID.
Current State of ION & ION Implementation with Azure Active Directory :
While ION is in experiment state and is not available for everyone, Microsoft has implemented a version with Active Directory. I have requested for private preview to get my hands-on , will come up with an article once I receive private preview.
What is it required to implement ION with Azure Active Directory ?
- Active tenant -AD
- Azure Key Vault
- Private preview request for tenant to carry out Verifiable credentials process.
You also need Microsoft Authenticator app as a wallet to store Credentials.
Sample/ Example of ION usage with AD :
https://github.com/Azure-Samples/active-directory-verifiable-credentials
The above sample provides clear definition how to issue verifiable credentials and verify the same , I have not received my private preview , so could not test it out.
Open Question :
a) ION is open public network running on Bitcoin- Who is custodian/payer of transactions fees in Bitcoin network.
b) Will ION network be customizable enough from wallet to storage and creating private network .