Trust Anchors/Sources of Truth and Their Importance

In the digital era, correct identification data verification is critical for building confidence, combating fraud, and assuring safe access to systems and resources. Sources of truth are critical in this procedure because they serve as authoritative references for authenticating and confirming identification information. This chapter examines the role of sources of truth in identity data verification, emphasizing their relevance in preserving data integrity, enhancing identity assurance, and allowing effective identity management.

In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

• Identifying and defining trustworthy sources of truth
• Use of sources of truth in identity management and its challenges
• Deep dive into the web of trust model
• Real-world use cases of leveraging the WoT model