MECHANISMS FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE SECTORS UTILIZING DECENTRALIZED SELF-SOVEREIGN IDENTITY

This paper argues for the consideration of a decentralized, open, interoperable identity framework as a secure, scalable, user-centered meta-platform capable of leveraging many aggregate network advantages and delivery options for education and healthcare providers. An overview of the shortfalls and vulnerabilities of the current Internet and systems for identity management is first explained, followed by a summary of the status of development and primary proponents of decentralized, blockchain-enabled, self-sovereign identification (SSI). An examination of the Key Event Receipt Infrastructure (KERI) open-source decentralized key management infrastructure (DKMI) and its primary root-of-trust in self-certifying identifiers (SCID) is evaluated. This paper recommends KERI for consideration as a potential meta-platform overlay and solution for both the education and health industries as a means of attaining their primary goal of being more user versus institution-centric in their core interactions and processes. Finally, some pathways for future research are recommended.