A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and Feasibility
Traditional identity management (IdM) solutions based on centralised protocols, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), are where a central authority manages all the processes. This risks a single point of failure and other vulnerabilities....
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Future Internet |
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| author | Aviral Goel Yogachandran Rahulamathavan |
| author_facet | Aviral Goel Yogachandran Rahulamathavan |
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| description | Traditional identity management (IdM) solutions based on centralised protocols, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), are where a central authority manages all the processes. This risks a single point of failure and other vulnerabilities. In response, decentralised techniques like blockchain and decentralised identities (DIDs) are being explored. This review paper performs a comparison of popular decentralised identity management (DIM) protocols, such as self-sovereign identity (SSI), against traditional centralised approaches such as LDAP and SAML. These decentralised identity management systems are being developed, keeping users’ identity data as its highest priority. Additionally, this method eliminates the need for a central authority to manage and secure the system. To further explore the potential of decentralised identity management, this study delves into popular blockchain-based decentralised identity management systems such as uPort, Sovrin, EverID, Blockstack, ShoCard, and Hyperledger Indy. We analyse their underlying principles and compare them with the well-established centralised identity management solutions, focusing on key aspects such as scalability, security, and feasibility. However, despite their benefits and several worthy developments in this field, decentralised approaches are still not widely used. Through this study, we investigate both centralised and decentralised methods and review their strengths and weaknesses. By reviewing multiple research papers, this survey aims to provide an understanding and aid in selecting the most suitable identity management system for different use cases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ac9989afaeaf45cab7125d34ea809871 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-5903 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Future Internet |
| spelling | doaj-art-ac9989afaeaf45cab7125d34ea8098712025-01-24T13:33:31ZengMDPI AGFuture Internet1999-59032024-12-01171110.3390/fi17010001A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and FeasibilityAviral Goel0Yogachandran Rahulamathavan1Institute for Digital Technologies, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UKInstitute for Digital Technologies, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UKTraditional identity management (IdM) solutions based on centralised protocols, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), are where a central authority manages all the processes. This risks a single point of failure and other vulnerabilities. In response, decentralised techniques like blockchain and decentralised identities (DIDs) are being explored. This review paper performs a comparison of popular decentralised identity management (DIM) protocols, such as self-sovereign identity (SSI), against traditional centralised approaches such as LDAP and SAML. These decentralised identity management systems are being developed, keeping users’ identity data as its highest priority. Additionally, this method eliminates the need for a central authority to manage and secure the system. To further explore the potential of decentralised identity management, this study delves into popular blockchain-based decentralised identity management systems such as uPort, Sovrin, EverID, Blockstack, ShoCard, and Hyperledger Indy. We analyse their underlying principles and compare them with the well-established centralised identity management solutions, focusing on key aspects such as scalability, security, and feasibility. However, despite their benefits and several worthy developments in this field, decentralised approaches are still not widely used. Through this study, we investigate both centralised and decentralised methods and review their strengths and weaknesses. By reviewing multiple research papers, this survey aims to provide an understanding and aid in selecting the most suitable identity management system for different use cases.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/17/1/1centraliseddecentralisedidentityauthenticationblockchainscalability |
| spellingShingle | Aviral Goel Yogachandran Rahulamathavan A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and Feasibility Future Internet centralised decentralised identity authentication blockchain scalability |
| title | A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and Feasibility |
| title_full | A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and Feasibility |
| title_fullStr | A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and Feasibility |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and Feasibility |
| title_short | A Comparative Survey of Centralised and Decentralised Identity Management Systems: Analysing Scalability, Security, and Feasibility |
| title_sort | comparative survey of centralised and decentralised identity management systems analysing scalability security and feasibility |
| topic | centralised decentralised identity authentication blockchain scalability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/17/1/1 |
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