An authentic provenance chain (APC) is a cryptographically verifiable sequence of linked presentations that traces data back to its origin through objectively verifiable evidence, establishing both proof-of-authorship (who created the data) and [proof-of-authority](/concept/proof-of-authority "Proof-of-authority is cryptographic evidence that an entity possesses specific r...") (who has rights over the data) through chained data structures.
Related Concepts
No related concepts available
Comprehensive Explanation
authentic-provenance-chain
Conceptual Definition
An authentic provenance chain (APC) represents a fundamental concept in verifiable data systems: the ability to cryptographically trace data back to its origin through an unbroken chain of evidence. Unlike traditional provenance systems that rely on trusted intermediaries or centralized registries, an APC provides objective verifiability—any party can independently verify the chain's integrity using cryptographic primitives without requiring trust in third parties.
The core properties of an authentic provenance chain include:
Interlinked presentations: Each element in the chain cryptographically references its predecessor, creating an immutable sequence
Origin traceability: The chain enables tracking data back to its original creator or source
Objective verifiability: Verification relies on cryptographic proofs rather than institutional trust
Dual proof structure: APCs establish both authorship (who created) and authority (who controls)
The scope of APCs extends beyond simple data attribution to encompass complex scenarios involving data transformation, aggregation, custody transfer, and delegated authority. An APC maintains verifiable integrity across these operations, creating what Samuel Smith terms the foundation for an "authentic data economy."
Historical Context
The concept of provenance chains emerged from multiple converging needs in distributed systems:
Traditional Provenance Systems
Historically, provenance tracking relied on:
Physical signatures and notarization for legal documents
Handwriting analysis for forensic authentication
Chain of custody documentation in legal and supply chain contexts
Implementation Notes
Governance Considerations
Authentic provenance chains are primarily a conceptual and governance framework rather than a specific implementation detail. Key considerations:
Schema Design
Edge operators: Choose appropriate operators (I2I, DI2I, NI2I) based on delegation requirements
Attribute structure: Design schemas that support graduated disclosure while maintaining provenance
Rules sections: Include Ricardian contracts defining chain-link confidentiality and usage terms
Trust Framework
Root authority: Establish clear root of trust (e.g., GLEIF for vLEI)
Delegation policies: Define who can delegate authority and under what conditions
Revocation procedures: Specify how provenance chains are affected by credential revocation
Grace periods: Allow time for authority transitions without breaking chains
Verification Policies
Chain depth limits: Define maximum acceptable chain length
Freshness requirements: Specify how recent key states must be
Selective revelation: Support progressive disclosure based on trust establishment
Privileged information access as indirect proof of authorship
These traditional methods suffered from fundamental limitations:
Dependence on trusted intermediaries (notaries, registrars)
Vulnerability to forgery and tampering
Lack of scalability for digital data flows
Inability to verify without access to original authorities
Digital Provenance Challenges
The transition to digital systems introduced new challenges:
Data transformation: How to maintain provenance through processing stages
Aggregation: Tracking provenance when multiple data sources combine
Custody transfer: Verifying authority changes without centralized registries
Supply chain complexity: Managing provenance across organizational boundaries
Early digital solutions like Linked Data and W3C Verifiable Credentials made progress but faced issues:
Reliance on centralized schema registries
Vulnerability to context manipulation
Difficulty maintaining provenance through transformations
Performance limitations for streaming data applications
KERI's Approach
KERI and its associated ACDC (Authentic Chained Data Container) specification provide a comprehensive solution for authentic provenance chains through several key innovations:
Self-Addressing Data Structures
KERI's approach centers on SAID (Self-Addressing IDentifier) protocol, where each data structure includes a cryptographic digest of itself. This creates content-addressable data where:
The identifier is cryptographically bound to the content
Any modification breaks the binding, making tampering evident
Verification requires no external reference data
For APCs, this means each link in the chain is self-verifying and tamper-evident.
Subsequent verifications are much faster through caching.
Ecosystem Integration
Authentic provenance chains represent a foundational primitive in the KERI ecosystem, enabling:
Verifiable credentials with complete issuance history
Delegation frameworks with cryptographic authority chains
Supply chain tracking with end-to-end provenance
Data marketplaces with verifiable data lineage
Reputation systems with portable, verifiable history
The combination of KERI's key management, ACDC's data containers, and APC's provenance tracking creates a comprehensive infrastructure for the "authentic web"—an internet where data origin and authority are cryptographically verifiable without centralized trust anchors.