By Ken Ebert
As more decentralized identity and verifiable credential solutions get to market, many vendors only offer a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) because of its ease of use and scalability. However, when it comes to managing verifiable credentials containing personal data, businesses, and especially governments, need to carefully assess where the platforms or software they depend on are hosted. In this blog, we’ll talk about how our platform for decentralized identity, Indicio Proven, supports requirements for data locality, compliance with regional regulations, and the security of personal data.
Assessment of data locality and regulatory compliance
Data residency is a key consideration when using a SaaS solution for verifiable credentials. A SaaS model for deployment may store or process data in multiple regions globally. While vendors often offer region-specific hosting, there are still challenges to ensuring that personal data is only processed in authorized geographic locations. This issue becomes even more pressing for government agencies and sectors dealing with sensitive citizen information, where the stakes for compliance are higher.
Governments around the world are beginning to operate under strict data sovereignty laws that dictate where personal data can be processed and stored. Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, Australia’s Privacy Act, or Canada’s PIPEDA create stringent requirements for how personal data is handled, especially when it comes to cross-border data flows.
For organizations in Europe, the eIDAS (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) regulation is the framework shaping the future of digital identity. Compliance with eIDAS and other regional regulations requires careful attention to where and how sensitive data is processed and stored.
For many organizations, the risks associated with using a SaaS model hosted in a foreign jurisdiction may outweigh the benefits, particularly if the service provider cannot guarantee that data will remain within the required geographical boundaries.
On-premise deployment: The case for control
For businesses and governments that require the strictest control over data processing, an on-premise deployment offers a secure alternative. This model allows organizations to manage verifiable credential platforms and solutions within their own environment, ensuring that sensitive personal data never leaves their infrastructure. In an on-premise deployment, verifiable credentials and the underlying issuance and verification infrastructure are fully managed, controlled, and protected by the organization, minimizing the risks of external breaches or compliance failures.
On-premise deployments are particularly appealing to financial services and healthcare, where stringent data protection regulations demand maximum control over personal data.
Indicio’s Differentiator: Offering Both SaaS and On-Premises Solutions
Despite the clear advantages of on-premise deployment for critical data applications, few vendors offer on-premise deployment as an option. This is where Indicio stands out as a solution provider, with both SaaS and on-premises deployment options for businesses and governments to meet their unique operational, privacy, and regulatory needs.
For those organizations that need the convenience and scalability of a cloud-based solution, Indicio Proven can be used as a fully-managed service. We handle the operational complexity of running the decentralized identity infrastructure, including regular maintenance, security updates, and compliance with global data protection regulations. This allows our clients to focus on their core operations while knowing that their verifiable credential solution is secure and up to date.
For organizations with stricter data-control requirements, Indicio Proven can be deployed on-premise to ensure that the personal data in verifiable credentials is never processed or stored outside their control.
The benefits of Indicio’s flexible deployment approach
By offering both SaaS and on-premises deployment options, Indicio provides organizations with the flexibility to choose the model that works best for them. Here are the key benefits of working with Indicio:
1. Tailored to Your Needs: Whether your organization prioritizes the ease and scalability of SaaS or requires the security and control of on-premises, Indicio has a solution that fits. We understand that no two organizations are the same, and our dual deployment model ensures that you don’t have to compromise on security or convenience.
2. Operational Excellence: For our SaaS customers, Indicio takes on the full responsibility of managing the infrastructure for issuing and verifying credentials. We handle maintenance, upgrades, and security patches, ensuring that your system runs smoothly and securely at all times. Our superb customer service ensures that you receive the support you need when you need it.
3. On-premise control: For organizations that require more control, Indicio’s on-premises option allows them to manage their Indicio Proven instance within their own environments. This deployment gives businesses and governments the ability to safeguard data, maintain compliance, and reduce risks associated with external data handling.
4. Regulatory compliance: Whether SaaS or on-premise, Indicio’s solutions are built with compliance in mind. We ensure that our systems meet the highest standards of security and data protection, giving you confidence that your decentralized identity solution will align with regulations like eIDAS, GDPR, and other regional frameworks.
Conclusion
As decentralized identity and verifiable credentials continue to shape the future of secure online interactions, businesses and governments must carefully evaluate their deployment options. SaaS models offer scalability and ease, but for organizations with stringent data control requirements, an on-premises deployment may be the best choice.
Indicio’s unique ability to provide both SaaS and on-premises solutions sets us apart in the market. Whether you need the operational simplicity of a managed SaaS environment or the control of an on-premises deployment, Indicio offers a flexible solution tailored to your needs, ensuring the security, compliance, and reliability of your decentralized identity infrastructure.
In an evolving regulatory landscape, Indicio is here to help you navigate the complexities of decentralized identity—offering superb customer service, operational excellence, and the flexibility to choose the deployment model that works best for you.
Contact us to learn more about how Indicio can support your verifiable credential deployment needs.
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