Blockchain and IoT are changing the world and can make everything from finance to healthcare more secure and reliable. This technology enables IoT devices to be attached to a blockchain, which acts as a cover to protect data. These devices can also be integrated into smart contracts to initiate a series of actions. To learn more about how you and your business can benefit from blockchain and IoT technology we’ve put together this quick guide.
Blockchain’s SSI Security
The SSI protocol enables devices to verify that their owners are the same person as the person who issued them. This ensures privacy and tamper-evident statements. Verifiable credentials are cryptographically signed and distributed. They include a set of claims or proofs created by the identity owner. The issuer can choose which parts of the credential to share with the verifier. A verifier can then instantly verify the data without contacting the issuer.
The SSI model has numerous applications and is expected to evolve over the next few years. It can be used to reduce the cost of customer onboarding while enhancing data security, privacy, and portability. It is also a powerful tool for fraud detection and security.
A blockchain-based Self-Sovereign identity (SSID) system enables users to control sensitive identification data. It is similar to a physical identification card, and contains characteristics about a person. It can also be used to protect private information such as health records or other personal information.
Password problems
SSI also reduces the problem of password fatigue, which can result in weak passwords. Additionally, SSI enables selective disclosure of identity attributes. An owner can decide which of their data to share with whom, which reduces the likelihood of a hacker getting access to it.
The SSI concept provides a secure way to identify IoT devices and the data they contain. It’s ideal for smart healthcare and should be accessible by services. In addition to acting as a cover for IoT devices, SSI can also protect personal information.
SSI can be implemented with a permissioned blockchain for smart healthcare. By using permission-based blockchain, the network limits who can participate at the healthcare level. Furthermore, permission-based blockchains protect the IoT devices’ privacy.
A DID is sent from a doctor to a health-related device. The device verifies the signature and adds the patient to the trust list. The doctor can then call the “DIDMaster” smart contract to access the patient’s data. After a successful execution, the data is stored on the blockchain.
Blockchain smart payments
Blockchain and IoT can revolutionize finance by making payments smart and secure. As more transactions move online, more data is generated, and the ability to track customer data is a crucial element for businesses. The combination of smart devices and machine learning can improve banking and finance operations, while also enhancing the security of customer accounts.
For example, blockchain can help automate certain banking services, such as letter-of-credit-returns. This could significantly reduce errors and fraud. Financial institutions have already jumped on board, with Citigroup and Goldman Sachs planning to pilot blockchain-based smart contracts in the near future.
Automation in the financial sector has brought about a host of innovations, including biometric solutions. These solutions use biometric information, such as fingerprints, palm scans, and iris scans, to ensure the validity of a person’s identity. Biometric information can also help reduce the number of errors associated with a transaction.
Banking
IoT is also changing the banking sector, and it’s predicted that the global market for connected financial services will reach $2 billion by 2023. These devices can collect information about customer behavior and spending habits, which helps businesses develop targeted marketing plans. The technology also makes it easier to identify customer preferences, enabling businesses to offer customized services and products.
Streamlining processes
Blockchain technology can help businesses use blockchain-based smart payments to streamline processes and improve efficiency. The technology has been used by various industries, including the automotive industry. In the future, blockchain can act as a central public ledger for millions of connected devices. With this, businesses can eliminate the need for centralized hubs for data and information.
Manufacturing
Blockchain is also being used in the manufacturing industry. Companies like Home Depot and IBM have already adopted blockchain to improve their supplier relationships. These companies have reported a significant reduction in vendor disputes and shortened transaction times.
Public services
Blockchain can also be used to manage public services, and can also improve transparency and accountability between authorities and those they serve. Some governments are already exploring the benefits of Blockchain in their industries. In Sweden, the Swedish Land Registry is exploring smart contracts and blockchain technology to simplify land registration.
Finance
Blockchain and IoT can revolutionize finance by improving security and speed through smart payments. By using the decentralized nature of blockchain, these technologies can make payments much faster and more secure than ever before. They can also be used to streamline account receivable and accounts payable processes. However, it’s important to ensure responsible use of blockchain technology in order to ensure a sustainable future.
Reliability and traceability of supply chain networks
Blockchain is a decentralized ledger that records transactions between multiple parties. Its main function is to eliminate a central intermediary and facilitate transactions between an unlimited number of anonymous parties. Using this technology in the supply chain can help supply chain managers and companies ensure better performance and reliability.
Tracking inventory
Blockchain allows supply chain managers to track inventory flows more accurately. It also creates visibility across a supply chain network. For example, a company may have product A that uses components C1 and C2, while another product B uses components C3 and C4. For the optimal move, product A would use the inventory of C1. But because the inventory of the components C1 and C2 is maintained by different companies, visibility is a big challenge.
Traceability
Blockchain-based traceability can help companies better respond to food safety incidents. Using it will reduce the time to resolve food scandals and food-borne illness outbreaks. Moreover, it will help them comply with government regulations and improve consumer confidence. It may also reduce the risk of product recalls.
Walmart embraces blockchain
Walmart is one company that has explored the benefits of blockchain-based food traceability. For example, it has successfully launched two pilot projects involving IBM Hyperledger blockchain technology. By leveraging emerging technologies, Walmart has been able to improve the traceability of the supply chain network.
The company has implemented a traceability system for food from farms to the slaughterhouse and from store to store. The project is expected to improve food safety by implementing a global standard for food traceability.
Blockchain-based supply chain transactions are peer-to-peer based and are trusted by digital signatures. Moreover, the data collected during each action is synchronized and shared among all stakeholders. The data collected is tamper-proof and can be easily accessed by regulators.
Supply chain management
As a supply chain management technology, blockchain has many advantages that help companies improve their supply chain traceability and reliability. For instance, it helps companies to trace faulty products, identify suppliers, and identify shipment batches.
It also enables companies to automatically monitor perishable products. For instance, blockchain-based IoT devices can monitor the temperature in refrigerated containers, and alert the company if temperatures become unsafe. Additionally, blockchain-based solutions can help companies combat counterfeit products.
Blockchain also improves communication between parties. In the past, supply chain networks used paper-based documentation to share data. This meant that important documents had to be transported along with the associated goods. For example, one shipment of frozen goods required over 200 communications from the supplier to the retailer. This created a stack of documents that was 25 centimeters tall. Moreover, shipping times are frequently delayed as paperwork has to be checked.
Security and privacy
Blockchain applications also have security and privacy advantages. Since information is stored on the blockchain, the risk of data theft is low. Third-party access to the data can help companies gain competitive intelligence, trade stocks, and predict market trends. It also improves traceability, giving customers and stakeholders confidence in the authenticity of a product.
Final thoughts
Blockchain and IoT are revolutionizing the world and have the potential to improve the security and reliability of everything from banking and education to healthcare and logistics. We have only touched on a few applications of blockchain and IoT technology and more use cases will emerge as the technology and adoption grow.
I write about blockchain, crypto, NFTs and other disruptive technologies and innovations.