At HashNet, we are proud to be at the forefront of Europe’s digital transformation through our collaboration with the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI). One of the most promising advancements in this partnership is the introduction of the Track and Trace capability, designed to enhance traceability and transparency in supply chains, document management, and beyond.
Concept Overview: What is Track and Trace?
The Track and Trace capability is an innovative service that ensures the integrity of digital claims without storing the actual files. Instead, it leverages a unique combination of:
- Hash (What): Verifies the integrity of a document or event.
- Sender/Origin (Who): Identifies the creator or authorized sender.
- Timestamp (When): Establishes the time of creation or modification.
This combination creates a Proof of Origin, which builds upon the traditional Proof of Existence by introducing the “who” element, crucial for traceability and accountability.
How Does It Work?
- Document Integrity: The hash of the document serves as its identifier, ensuring data integrity without exposing sensitive content.
- Event Logging: Events related to the document—such as approvals, modifications, or transfers—are recorded with their own Proof of Origin.
- Participant Identification: Participants are verified through did:ebsi or did:key (using the secp256k1 Koblitz curve).
- Timestamp Verification: Timestamps can either be blockchain-driven or derived from Qualified Timestamp Certificates to ensure accuracy.
Important: Only legal entities are authorized to use this service, ensuring secure and compliant traceability.
Key Features of Track and Trace
- Enhanced Proof of Origin: Tracks not only the document’s existence but also its origin, maintaining full transparency in who created or modified it.
- Decentralized Integrity: Publicly stored integrity hashes ensure that sensitive documents remain private while still being verifiable.
- Access Management: Controlled through permissions like “write” and “delegate,” granting granular access to authorized users.
- Blockchain-Driven Timestamps: Provides immutable records of when a transaction was processed on the blockchain.
- Use Case Flexibility: Tailored to meet diverse requirements across industries like supply chain management, legal document tracking, and digital identity verification.
Specifications: Building the Future of Traceability
Logical Data Model
- Document
A globally unique identifier (hash) ensures document integrity, with optional metadata for context. The Document also contains:- Proof of Origin (Who, What, When)
- Access controls for managing permissions.
- Event
Events capture any activity or changes related to the document. They include:- Hash, sender, origin, and timestamp.
- Metadata for additional context.
- Timestamp
Either blockchain-driven or based on Qualified Timestamp Certificates, timestamps validate the timing of events or document creation. - Access
Permissions are assigned and managed for specific participants, ensuring secure and authorized interactions.
Lifecycle of a Document in Track and Trace
- Document Creation
A whitelisted did:ebsi initiates the document creation process. - Access Management
The creator assigns permissions to other participants (e.g., “write” or “delegate”). - Event Logging
Authorized participants can log events tied to the document, building a traceable history. - Revoking Permissions
Permissions can be revoked by the granter, ensuring controlled access at all times. - Document Removal
While individual events cannot be deleted, entire documents can be removed from the active set of data while remaining immutable on the blockchain.
Applications and Use Cases
The flexibility of Track and Trace opens up possibilities across various industries, including:
- Supply Chain Management: Ensures transparency and traceability of goods from origin to destination.
- Legal Document Tracking: Verifies authenticity, timestamps, and access history of critical documents.
- Healthcare: Secures the integrity of medical records and compliance documentation.
- Digital Identity Verification: Safeguards personal data and ensures the validity of identity credentials.
Benefits of Track and Trace
- Enhanced Transparency: Ensures accountability by linking actions to verified identities.
- Improved Data Security: Protects sensitive documents while maintaining verifiability.
- Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with EBSI and European standards for secure and decentralized data management.
- Scalability: Adaptable to both small-scale implementations and large, cross-border projects.
- Future-Proofing: Positions organizations ahead of regulatory changes and emerging traceability demands.
First Release and Next Steps
The first release of Track and Trace will go live on February 9, 2024, in the EBSI Pilot environment. This milestone represents a significant step toward full-scale implementation, with further updates and enhancements planned in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
For more information on how HashNet is contributing to the advancement of Track and Trace and other blockchain innovations, visit our website or contact our team directly.
Track and Trace is more than just a tool—it’s a transformative capability that enhances the way organizations handle traceability, compliance, and data integrity. With HashNet’s expertise and EBSI’s robust infrastructure, this service sets a new standard for digital trust and transparency in Europe and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and deliver cutting-edge blockchain solutions.
