Businesses and institutions can deploy ZKP to verify biometric data, such as facial or voice recognition, without revealing the raw biometric details. For instance, a person can prove they have a valid face for authentication without revealing their face.
\nSimilarly, websites and apps can use the ZKP to verify the login details without users actually transmitting passwords over a network.
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<\/span>Voting systems<\/div> Preserving a vote’s secrecy is the biggest challenge in electronic voting, and ZKP can easily help with it. A ZKP-based voting system would allow users to cast valid votes without linking them to the voters\u2019 identities. Many countries are already exploring such a voting system to revolutionize their election processes while preventing electoral fraud.<\/div><\/div>\n
<\/span>Age and credentials verification<\/div> ZKP can easily allow individuals to prove they are above a certain age without revealing their exact birth date. Similarly, the encryption method can be used to verify credentials such as educational degrees or professional certifications without requiring individuals to disclose specific qualification details.
\nFor instance, companies can deploy ZKP to verify a job applicant’s age and other qualifications without requiring them to reveal all details.
\n <\/div><\/div>\n
<\/span>KYC requirements<\/div> Banks and other financial institutions can deploy ZKP to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements without requiring users to share sensitive personal information. For example, users can prove that they fulfil key KYC requirements, such as citizenship, without revealing their full national identity number and complete address. <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Types of Zero-Knowledge Proofs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are two main types of zero-knowledge proof, depending on how they demonstrate knowledge without disclosing information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interactive Zero Knowledge Proof<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Interactive ZKP requires the verifier to constantly interact with the prover to verify the knowledge possession. The verifier asks questions or poses challenges, and the prover has to act or answer accordingly to convince the verifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such a ZKP is suitable for projects where both parties are actively engaged in the verification process. However, the need for constant communication makes it less practical for large-scale applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-interactive Zero Knowledge Proof<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Non-interactive ZKP doesn\u2019t require an interactive process; rather, one round of communication between the prover and verifier is enough for verification. Such a type of ZKP is more efficient and scalable, making it a better choice for large-scale projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under non-interactive, the prover generally provides proof based on public information that can be easily verified without further interaction between the prover and verifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs are two popular types of Non-interactive ZKP. ZK-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge) include short proof sizes and quick verification times, while ZK-STARKs (Zero-Knowledge Scalable Transparent Arguments of Knowledge) eliminate the need for a trusted setup, and thus, offer more scalability and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nZero Knowledge vs Zero Trust<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nZero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) and Zero Trust are separate concepts but have some similarities. ZKP, as detailed above, is a cryptographic protocol that allows one party to convince the other that the former possesses the information without actually revealing that information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zero Trust, on the other hand, is a broader term that may include ZKP. It is a general cybersecurity model or a security framework that entities deploy to safeguard their valuables, including data, premises, and other resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zero Trust works by assuming that every entity is a threat. Thus, the security framework requires every user and device to be authenticated and continuously verified before granting access to resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSummary<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nZero-knowledge proofs are an exciting frontier in blockchain technology with immense potential and a wide variety of applications. Understanding how Zero-Knowledge Proof works gives entities a reliable way to deal with untrusted or unidentified parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To get the best results, it is important for entities to combine the privacy-preserving design of ZKP with blockchain\u2019s inherently transparent nature. Moreover, it is also vital for organizations to integrate ZKP seamlessly with existing systems and processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<\/time>