The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has awarded a $749,241 Small Business Innovation Program (SBIR) contract to Digital Bazaar to develop fit-for-purpose blockhains for identity and access management.

Under the SBIR Phase II contract, the Blacksburg, Virginia-based technology company will develop a flexible software ecosystem that combines fit-for-purpose distributed ledger technology, digital credentials and digital wallets for the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE). This research and development (R&D) project is being managed by the Cyber Security Division’s (CSD) Identity Management project. CSD is part of the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Under its project titled “Fit-for-Purpose Blockchains/Identity and Access Management,” Digital Bazaar will build on its current platform to develop a standards-based digital credentialing solution coupled with a fit-for-purpose blockchain that will provide the new capabilities.

Once completed, the enhanced product will be positioned as a Ledger As A Service (LaaS) platform, according to a statement by the Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate.

[Image courtesy: DHS]