DHS SBIR Success Story - Digital Identity Protection

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program plays an important role to cultivate technological advancements that improves national security. Through a competitive process, DHS SBIR issues topic calls and solicitations, inviting companies to submit proposals that address security challenges. Awardees are selected based on the on their proposals, their ability to meet program requirements, and their potential to develop innovative solutions.

Digital Bazaar Inc., located in Blacksburg, VA, has developed a product line called Veres, which offers citizens and organizations a secure, privacy-preserving, and cost-effective way to control and manage their digital identities. Veres addresses the needs of three main roles in digital credentialing: issuers, holders, and verifiers. In an era of rapid technological advancements, digital identity protection has become more critical than ever. With AI making it easier to falsify identification, identity theft has become a growing concern. Once data is compromised, individuals may spend months or even years recovering, incurring significant personal costs.

Digital Bazaar Inc. explored the use of blockchain technology to enhance the security of citizen's digital identities. This effort evolved into the creation of technology solutions for privacy-protected digital wallets and establish a global standard for digital identities that enables individuals to be in control of how their private information is shared and stored.