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<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
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---
name: implementing-decentralized-identity
description: >-
  Implement decentralized identity systems using W3C Decentralized Identifiers
  (DIDs), Verifiable Credentials (VCs), and Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)
  frameworks for privacy-preserving authentication and authorization.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: identity-security
tags:
  - decentralized-identity
  - did
  - verifiable-credentials
  - ssi
  - web3-identity
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack:
  - T1078
  - T1556
  - T1606
---

# Implementing Decentralized Identity

## Overview

Decentralized identity shifts control from centralized identity providers to
the individual. Using W3C DIDs and Verifiable Credentials, users can prove
attributes about themselves without revealing unnecessary information. This
technique covers DID method implementation, VC issuance and verification,
and integration with existing identity infrastructure.

## Prerequisites

| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Python 3.10+ | Agent tooling |
| SIEM access | Log correlation |
| IdP API access | Identity provider queries |
| `pip install msal` | Microsoft auth library |
| `pip install okta` | Okta SDK |

## Key Concepts

### Decentralized Identity Stack

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│            Applications                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│     Verifiable Credentials (VCs)         │
│     - Issuance, Presentation, Verify     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│     Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs)     │
│     - did:web, did:key, did:ion          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│     Verifiable Data Registry             │
│     - Blockchain / DPKI / Web            │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

### DID Document Structure

```json
{
  "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/did/v1",
  "id": "did:web:example.com",
  "verificationMethod": [{
    "id": "did:web:example.com#key-1",
    "type": "JsonWebKey2020",
    "publicKeyJwk": {}
  }],
  "authentication": ["did:web:example.com#key-1"],
  "service": [{
    "id": "did:web:example.com#vc-service",
    "type": "VerifiableCredentialService",
    "serviceEndpoint": "https://example.com/vc/"
  }]
}
```

## Workflow

```
1. DESIGN     — Select DID method and credential schema
2. GENERATE   — Create DID document and key material
3. REGISTER   — Publish DID to verifiable data registry
4. ISSUE      — Create and sign verifiable credentials
5. PRESENT    — Build verifiable presentations for verifiers
6. VERIFY     — Validate credentials and check revocation
7. INTEGRATE  — Bridge DID auth with existing IdP systems
```

## Verification

```bash
# Validate agent script
python3 -m py_compile scripts/agent.js && echo "OK" || echo "FAIL"
ruff check scripts/agent.js

# Run agent help
node scripts/agent.js --help
```

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK — Identity Techniques](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0006/)
- [NIST SP 800-63 Digital Identity Guidelines](https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/)
- [NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust Architecture](https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-207/final)
- [CIS Controls v8](https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/v8)
