IDer

IDer, short for Identity Derivation, is a term used in digital identity research to describe mechanisms that derive a user’s usable identity or credentials from a set of verifiable attributes. It is not a single standardized protocol, but a family of approaches that combines cryptographic techniques with identity data.

In typical models, a user presents a selection of attributes (age, membership, role). A derivation process generates an interim credential or identifier that can be verified by a relying party without revealing raw attributes; key elements include keys, derivation rules, and revocation information. Techniques like zero-knowledge proofs and attribute-based credentials may be used.

IDer interfaces with decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials (VCs) concepts, enabling portable, verifiable identity across domains. It can support privacy-preserving authentication and selective disclosure.

Various university, industry, and research projects have proposed IDer-like schemes; implementations vary in trust model, storage, and performance. Some designs emphasize client-driven derivation to reduce server-side data exposure; others use issuer-led derivation.

Benefits include privacy-preserving verification, reduced data exposure, and flexible attribute selection. Limitations involve computational overhead, complexity of governance and revocation, interoperability challenges, and reliance on the integrity of derivation rules.

See also: Verifiable credentials, DIDs, identity management, attribute-based credentials, zero-knowledge proofs.