NuID: Seamless User-Authentication with Zero Knowledge Cryptography

Passwords are generally stored in large centralized databases which increases their vulnerability to theft, and in turn concerns CIOs and security officers. Because of this, organizations often face difficulties in securing themselves from cybersecurity breaches that target passwords and other authentication data. In addition, there are complexities to storing and managing large databases of their customers’ credentials. Existing methods and commercially available authentication solutions almost all rely on passwords being collected and stored on company servers. Consumers’ emails and passwords are a valuable prize for attackers, who can use the data to gain access to other accounts where people have reused passwords.

NuID offers a unique and affordable authentication platform that can be easily integrated into any enterprise identity and access management (IAM) system that removes the need for businesses to store user authentication data. NuID’s user-friendly offering leverages decentralized architecture and zero knowledge cryptography, which enables businesses to authenticate customers or employees without storing passwords and other sensitive authentication data. This means, users’ passwords never leave their devices; there’s no opportunity for man-in-the-middle attacks or mass credential breaches. NuID refers to this model as “trustless” authentication because users don’t need to trust anyone else—including NuID— with their passwords.

Trust is the fundamental parameter to attain sustainable growth in a competitive world. Lack of trust due to security breaches can damage an enterprise’s reputation. With major data breaches making headlines every few weeks, consumers are beginning to take notice, and action. A recent study found that nearly 70% of consumers say they would boycott a business that fails to protect their data. Locke Brown, CEO and co-founder of NuID, argues that “the best way to protect user data is to store as little of it as possible.”