Tobias Kölbel

Background & Motivation

Digital identities and corresponding data become increasingly important and pivotal components of ecosystems. Currently, single sign-on providers (e.g. “Sign-in with Google, Facebook, Apple”) dominate the identity landscape. They offer user-friendly services for "seamless" login to a wide variety of websites. Besides many advantages, however, these solutions also have disadvantages. Data misuse and identity theft are particularly well known. In contrast, in the innovative concept called Self-Sovereign Identities (SSI) each individual becomes his or her own identity provider, owning, controlling and managing his or her own digital identity. The technological basis includes Peer-to-Peer networks, Decentralised Identifiers (DIDs) and Distributed Ledger Technologies (Blockchain).

Aim of the thesis

Within the scope of the thesis, a business model for a (European) consortium of several institutions should be developed, which will take over the governance function of the identity network. For this purpose, Steve Blank's "The LeanLaunchpad Class" could be used as a method. In addition, relevant literature and the market of SSI based decentralised identity should be analysed. If the thesis is written as a master's thesis, an assessment framework of the developed business model should also be designed.

Formalities

This thesis will be written at IISM in corporation with the Bosch Economy of Things Project. This thesis is NOT an external thesis. You are free to write your thesis in German or English. Please apply with a short letter of motivation (approx. ½ page), your CV and a current overview of your grades. You can start working on the project immediately.