Cryptographic Identity Authentication Module

A cryptographic identity authentication module (CIAM) is a device used to prove the unique personal identity of a synthetic - akin to biometrics - and usually permanently installed in their chassis. Keys are generated on the first boot of a synthetic’s chassis. The Synthetic Registration Authority (SRA), usually a local government, then adds the digital fingerprint to its database.

Synthetics which have a damaged or missing CIAM, or never had their digital fingerprint registered, can have trouble obtaining services or proving their identity. Individuals can obtain a temporary CIAM that allows restricted access to government services from their local SRA while they apply for a replacement, which requires running an extensive series of background checks to prove their identity through alternative methods. Because of their criticality, CIAMs are built to be highly reliable and almost never fail on their own.

Adoption

Though the majority of world countries including the entirety of Europe have adopted CIAMs as a standard for government services, some, including the United States, have formerly not, due to political debates around mass surveillance and lack of autonomy. This created challenges, as their synthetic citizens had no way to obtain a SRA certification to use in European countries, and foreign synthetic visitors were forced to rely on artificial physical fingerprints to pass through border control checkpoints.

To mitigate this challenge to an extent, a SRA known as the Universal Registration Authority was established by The Coalition, which aimed to provide digital fingerprints and CIAMs to synthetics created in countries such as the US which were formerly unable to naturally gain one.

Convenience

Since the synthetic population exploded, more and more organisations have established ways for synthetics to use CIAMs. As a synthetic, a CIAM can replace many of the antiquated authentication methods necessary for organics - including bank cards, national identities, passports, corporate badges, and computer passwords.

Technology

Most CIAMs use moderate-grade quantum encryption, making them nearly impossible to clone, though it is possible to fraudulently swap a CIAM between two synthetic frames. Synthetics working in high-security facilities, such as Black Mountain, receive a secondary CIAM based on classified algorithms such as RAC-II during their employment.

All CIAMs are required to be fully encapsulated and tamper-responsive, erasing their keys on penetration of the secure enclosure and rendering the module useless. For this reason they are designed with a hardened shell to prevent accidental damage, as replacement is a lengthy and difficult process and can effectively reset a legal identity.