Decentralized CPU-sharing network, Golem, published its research into a Proof of Device, PoD, mechanism for user authentication, June 5. While still a proof of concept, the research outlines a method by which users can automatically validate their hardware, proving identity in an anonymous yet trusted manner.
The research stems from Golem’s need to secure its own permissionless, anonymous network against Sybil attacks. It considered whether something could be implemented using Intel’s Software Guard Extensions, or SGX, which are instructions built into modern CPUs.