DIDComm

DIDComm — short for Decentralized Identifier Communication — provides a method for creating a direct, secure line of communication between the owners of Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs). But DIDComm is more than just a mechanism for an individual message, it’s a framework for safe, structured interactions built on decentralization technology.

DIDComm creates an encrypted communications channel for issuing, presenting, and verifying a Verifiable Credential. It provides maximal security for these processes by allowing each party to mutually authenticate each other before sharing information. It allows for rich, consent-based communication that facilitates the creations of trusted relationships between passengers and airlines and other partners. This is the foundation for a new level of customer personalization that no other exchange protocol provides

In this framework each holder of a DID agrees to accept a connection and enables communication along that channel, whether it be through a website, email, mobile push notifications, QR codes, or a text message. These connections benefit from the built-in features of DIDComm technology, including message encryption, mutual authentication, and message routing.

While some interactions happen entirely within DIDComm protocol messages, such as identity verification and connection creation, DIDComm protocols can also be used to facilitate interactions within other protocols. For example, a video conference call or a phone call could be coordinated using DIDComm protocols to make use of the trust provided by the DIDComm relationship.

A key use for DIDComm is in the communication of verifiable credentials. In the annotated stack diagram from Trust Over IP (below) we can see the role that DIDComm could play in its architectural design.

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