Components of Internet Trust Explained

I've been thinking about this for quite awhile - how to break down #digitaltrust into its constituent components. My current thinking is that there are two discrete components: 1) computational assurance and 2) management assurance. Computational assurance means that something is computed properly. We take for granted that calculators give us the right answer. This can be extended to more esoteric functions such as cryptography, where we can prove that something was calculated properly, even though we might not be privy to some of the key inputs (such as a private key). Management assurance means that a management process has been carried out according to its rules. This has nothing to do with machines or computation, but rests on humans who have promised (are promising) to carry something out according to agreed-on rules. Much of this may be automated (relying on computational assurances) but the heart of the process rests on the promise of a human. Here is where it gets interesting. You might 'trust' a public key certificate or a decentralized identifier method due to its computational assurance, but you also need to 'trust' that the issuance process has integrity or that private key is indeed kept secret by the right parties. These are human processes. So here is the gist of my post - no matter how much technology is part of a solution (computational assurance), it can only be 'trusted' if there is a corresponding human promise (management assurance). Don't let the human part be lost when you are evaluating the trustworthiness of a solution. #digitaltrust #computationalassurance #managementassurance

🔑 Public/Private Keys and Digital Certificates: "Hey Friend, Can I Trust It's Really You?" Thinking about how we trust media in a world of deepfakes? 🤔 Digital certificates are the first “related work” that comes to mind for me. They form the backbone of trust on the internet, proving identities and ensuring secure communication. Here’s how they work: 1️⃣ Public/Private Keys: The Core of Trust At the heart of digital certificates is public-key cryptography: - A private key is your secret—only you have it. - A public key is linked to your private key and can be shared freely. Anything encrypted or signed with one key can only be verified or decrypted with the other. This enables both encryption (privacy) and digital signatures (authentication). 2️⃣ Digital Signatures: "I Wrote This" When you sign something digitally (e.g., a message or document): - Your private key creates the signature. - The signature is tied to the content and your private key. - Anyone can verify it using your public key. Verification ensures: You wrote it (authentication): Only someone with your private key could create the signature. It hasn’t been altered (integrity): Even a small change breaks the signature. 3️⃣ Digital Certificates: Connecting Keys to Identity How do others know a public key belongs to you? Enter digital certificates, issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs): - A certificate links your public key to your identity (e.g., name, organization, or domain). - The CA verifies your identity and signs your certificate with their private key, vouching for its authenticity. When someone sees your certificate, they trust the CA’s signature and know the public key belongs to you. 4️⃣ How This Works for "This Is My Website" When visiting a secure site (e.g., example[.]com): The website sends its digital certificate to your browser. Your browser checks if: - The certificate is signed by a trusted CA. - The certificate is valid (not expired or revoked). If it checks out, your browser uses the public key in the certificate to set up an encrypted connection, proving: - This is the real website (authentication). - The connection is secure (encryption). 5️⃣ How This Works for "I Wrote This Content" When you sign content with your private key, your certificate lets others verify it. The certificate ties your public key to your verified identity, ensuring: - You wrote it. - It hasn’t been altered. Examples: - Email Signing: Certificates prove emails are from you. - Code Signing: Developers sign software to verify it’s untampered and authentic. 6️⃣ Summary: Keys and Certificates - Keys: Enable encryption and signing. - Certificates: Tie public keys to identities. - CAs: Are trusted authorities that verify identities and issue certificates. Without certificates, anyone could fake a key and pretend to be you. #identity #deepfake

Trust Architecture and Digital Identity refer to the frameworks and technologies that ensure secure and reliable digital interactions. Trust Architecture provides the foundation for safe online transactions by implementing standards, technologies, and policies to safeguard transaction integrity, including data encryption to secure communication protocols, ensuring that online interactions are protected against unauthorized access and fraud. Digital Identity represents the data that uniquely identifies an individual or entity online, and it is essential for maintaining privacy and preventing unauthorized access. Digital Identity includes usernames, passwords, biometric data, and other identifiers that authenticate a person's or entity's identity online. The Zero Trust Model, which operates on a "never trust, always verify" basis, further strengthens this security by requiring continuous verification for network access. Authentication vs. Authorization processes ensure that users are correctly identified and granted appropriate access rights to resources and services. Privacy and Data Protection are critical aspects, ensuring that personal data is managed securely and complies with regulations. Blockchain and Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) technologies empower users to control their digital identities, enhancing privacy and security without relying on intermediaries. These concepts work hand in hand to protect our online presence and enable safe, private access to digital services. #DataProtection #CyberSecurity #Blockchain #Privacy