Enhance Bedrock Verifier: Flexible Credential Checks

As discussions evolve around the digitalbazaar and bedrock-vc-verifier projects, a compelling proposal has emerged to enhance the flexibility and control over credential verification processes. Currently, the checks parameter in the /presentations/verify endpoint primarily accepts an array of strings. This array dictates which checks should be performed during the verification process. However, the suggested enhancement proposes allowing checks to also be passed as an object containing key-value pairs, where the keys represent the checks and the values are booleans indicating whether the check should be enabled or disabled. This enhancement aims to provide more granular control over the verification process, especially concerning disabling default checks.

The Current Limitations of Array-Based Checks

The existing array-based approach to specifying checks operates under the principle that each string within the array signals a request to perform a specific check. If a check is not present in the array, it is assumed that the check should not be executed. While this approach works well for enabling additional checks, it falls short when the goal is to disable checks that are enabled by default. The current implementation lacks a mechanism to explicitly turn off a default check. This limitation becomes particularly relevant when dealing with credential status verification. By default, the /presentations/verify endpoint always checks the credential status. However, there may be scenarios where verifying the credential status is unnecessary or undesirable. For example, in certain contexts, the reliance on real-time status checks can introduce latency and dependency issues. In such cases, the ability to disable the credential status check would be highly beneficial. The array-based approach, however, does not offer a way to achieve this. The mere presence of a check in the system implies that it should be performed, precluding the possibility of explicitly disabling it. Therefore, a more flexible mechanism is needed to overcome this limitation and allow for fine-grained control over the verification process.

Introducing Object-Based Checks: A More Granular Approach

To address the limitations of the array-based approach, the proposal introduces the concept of object-based checks. This approach allows the checks parameter to accept an object where each key-value pair represents a specific check and its corresponding boolean value. The key represents the name of the check, while the value indicates whether the check should be enabled (true) or disabled (false). This object-based approach offers several advantages over the array-based approach. First and foremost, it provides a clear and explicit way to disable default checks. By setting the value of a check to false, the verifier can be instructed to skip that particular check, regardless of whether it is enabled by default. This capability is especially useful for disabling the credential status check when using the /presentations/verify endpoint. By setting the credentialStatus check to false, the verifier can be instructed to skip the credential status verification process, reducing latency and dependency issues. Furthermore, the object-based approach enhances the readability and maintainability of the verification configuration. The explicit key-value pairs make it easy to understand which checks are enabled and which are disabled. This clarity is particularly important in complex verification scenarios where multiple checks are involved. The object-based approach also provides a natural way to extend the verification configuration with additional options and parameters in the future. Each check can be associated with a set of configuration options, allowing for fine-grained control over the behavior of each check. This extensibility makes the object-based approach a more robust and future-proof solution for managing verification checks.

Benefits of Implementing Object-Based Checks

Implementing object-based checks offers a multitude of benefits that significantly enhance the functionality and usability of the bedrock-vc-verifier. One of the most notable advantages is the ability to disable credential status checks when utilizing the /presentations/verify endpoint. This is particularly useful in scenarios where real-time status checks are either unnecessary or introduce unacceptable latency. By allowing users to explicitly disable this default check, the system becomes more adaptable to various use cases and performance requirements. Moreover, object-based checks provide a more intuitive and transparent way to manage verification configurations. The key-value pair structure clearly indicates which checks are enabled and disabled, making it easier for developers to understand and maintain the verification logic. This enhanced clarity reduces the likelihood of errors and simplifies the debugging process. Another significant benefit is the increased flexibility in configuring verification processes. Object-based checks allow for fine-grained control over individual checks, enabling developers to tailor the verification process to specific needs. This level of customization is not possible with the array-based approach, which only allows for enabling checks without the option to disable them. Furthermore, the introduction of object-based checks paves the way for future enhancements and extensions to the verification system. The key-value pair structure can be easily expanded to include additional options and parameters for each check, allowing for more sophisticated and nuanced verification logic. This extensibility ensures that the bedrock-vc-verifier remains adaptable to evolving standards and requirements in the field of verifiable credentials.

Practical Implications and Use Cases

The practical implications of allowing checks as an object are far-reaching and cater to a diverse range of use cases within the verifiable credentials ecosystem. Consider a scenario where a verifier needs to process a large volume of presentations, and real-time credential status checks introduce unacceptable latency. With object-based checks, the verifier can simply disable the credentialStatus check, significantly improving processing speed without compromising the integrity of the verification process. Another compelling use case involves situations where the verifier operates in an environment with limited or intermittent network connectivity. In such cases, relying on real-time credential status checks may not be feasible. Object-based checks provide a convenient way to disable the credentialStatus check and rely on other verification methods, such as revocation lists or cryptographic proofs, to ensure the validity of the credential. Furthermore, object-based checks can be particularly useful in scenarios where the verifier has specific security requirements or policies. For example, an organization may choose to disable certain checks that are deemed too risky or resource-intensive. Object-based checks provide a flexible way to enforce these policies and customize the verification process accordingly. The ability to selectively enable or disable checks also allows verifiers to optimize the verification process for different types of credentials. For example, certain checks may be more relevant for specific credential types, while others may be unnecessary. Object-based checks enable verifiers to tailor the verification process to the specific characteristics of each credential, ensuring that only the necessary checks are performed. In addition to these practical use cases, object-based checks also have important implications for the interoperability and standardization of verifiable credentials. By providing a more flexible and extensible way to manage verification checks, object-based checks can facilitate the development of more robust and interoperable verification systems. This, in turn, can contribute to the widespread adoption of verifiable credentials and their use in a variety of applications.

Technical Considerations and Implementation Details

Implementing object-based checks requires careful consideration of technical details to ensure seamless integration with the existing bedrock-vc-verifier architecture. The primary task involves modifying the /presentations/verify endpoint to accept and process the checks parameter as either an array or an object. When the checks parameter is an array, the existing logic should be preserved, treating each string in the array as a request to enable the corresponding check. However, when the checks parameter is an object, the logic should be modified to iterate over the key-value pairs and enable or disable each check based on the boolean value. To maintain backward compatibility, the default behavior should remain unchanged, ensuring that existing clients that rely on the array-based approach continue to function correctly. The implementation should also include robust error handling to gracefully handle invalid or malformed checks parameters. For example, if the checks parameter is an object and one of the keys does not correspond to a valid check, the system should return an informative error message. Furthermore, the implementation should be thoroughly tested to ensure that object-based checks function correctly in a variety of scenarios. This includes testing with different types of credentials, different combinations of enabled and disabled checks, and different error conditions. In addition to these technical considerations, it is also important to consider the security implications of object-based checks. The implementation should be designed to prevent malicious actors from manipulating the checks parameter to bypass security checks or compromise the integrity of the verification process. This may involve implementing additional validation and sanitization steps to ensure that the checks parameter is properly formatted and does not contain any malicious code. Finally, the implementation should be well-documented to provide clear instructions on how to use object-based checks and how to configure the verification process. This documentation should include examples of how to enable and disable checks, as well as explanations of the different options and parameters that are available. By carefully considering these technical details and security implications, the implementation of object-based checks can be a valuable addition to the bedrock-vc-verifier, providing greater flexibility and control over the verification process.

Conclusion: Embracing Flexibility and Control

The proposal to allow checks as an object with key-value pairs in addition to accepting an array represents a significant step forward in enhancing the flexibility and control of the bedrock-vc-verifier. By providing a more granular way to manage verification checks, this enhancement empowers developers to tailor the verification process to specific needs and use cases. The ability to disable default checks, such as the credential status check, is particularly valuable in scenarios where real-time status checks are either unnecessary or introduce unacceptable latency. Furthermore, the object-based approach promotes clarity, maintainability, and extensibility, making the verification system more robust and adaptable to evolving standards and requirements. As the verifiable credentials ecosystem continues to grow and mature, the need for flexible and customizable verification solutions will become increasingly important. The implementation of object-based checks is a proactive step towards meeting this need and ensuring that the bedrock-vc-verifier remains a leading tool for verifying verifiable credentials. This enhancement not only addresses the current limitations of the array-based approach but also lays the foundation for future innovations and improvements in the field of verifiable credentials verification.

For more information on Verifiable Credentials, visit the W3C website.