The U.S. Department of Homeland Security invests in four blockchain startups to develop identity authentication systems

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Technology Directorate has funded four small blockchain companies to develop identity management systems.

Which blockchain companies are on the list?

The four companies funded are Digital Bazaar, Respect Network, Narf Industries and Celerity, each of which will receive 10万美金. DHS requires these companies to study the application of blockchain technology in identity authentication and privacy protection.

Blockchain technology brings new ways and methods to the existing identity authentication system.

Digital Bazaar is developing a linked data ledger architecture for publishing identity information, while Washington-based Respect Network provides a decentralized registration and discovery service connected to the public blockchain.

Narf Industries' identity authentication management system is built on a private chain and has the characteristics of confidentiality (selective disclosure of information), authenticity, practicality, pseudo-anonymity, etc., and only DHS can access this system.

Celerity's blockchain solution is designed to establish and maintain trusted identity information transactions, allowing users to exchange identity information directly with public and private organizations through the platform.

In addition to the initial $100,000 SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research Program) investment, the four companies will have the opportunity to receive additional funding, depending on the success and commercial potential of their projects.

What is the purpose of DHS?

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program in the United States began in December 2015. Based on the research and development needs of various DHS departments and their affiliated companies, the director of the Cybersecurity Department released four research topics for SBIR.

DHS has a total of 240,000 employees, covering fields ranging from aviation, border security to emergency response, and includes professionals in various positions such as cybersecurity analysts and chemical equipment inspectors.

Christopher Franko, blockchain expert at Borderless Technology, said:

Whichever use case DHS chooses to invest in blockchain technology is bound to be interesting. It’s no surprise that they chose identity management first. Although a little unsettling, I’m still curious to see how they will use this blockchain system. After all, they invested in 4 companies that I had never heard of before.

He said it would be good to know DHS’s investment criteria, as there are many more meaningful blockchain solutions that have yet to be discovered.

In any case, blockchain technology has long been deeply rooted in people's minds.