The platform for COVID-19 immunization verification via distributed ledger technology is now available for businesses to build end-user solutions a milestone for the rollout of coronavirus immunization certificates

The platform for COVID-19 immunization verification via distributed ledger technology is now available for businesses to build end-user solutions

(London/Warsaw, December 23, 2020) Enterprise DLT creator Billon Group has achieved a milestone in supporting the need for privacy in COVID-19 vaccinations, with the launch of a new form of GDPR compliant distributed ledger technology. The platform immutably stores any type of verifiable immunity certificate in a distributed ledger (DLT) where only the parties involved are aware of a citizen’s status. This database capability allows businesses and agencies to tailor end-user journeys to meet their needs.

Immunization certificates are an anticipated milestone in accelerating the post-pandemic recovery. With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, they will accelerate gradually and safely getting the economy back to “normal.”

Billon CEO Wojtek Kostrzewa explains: “We expect many governments will use paper-based records of who is vaccinated. In today’s world, people need digital solutions to display proof of required vaccinations to enter restaurants, stores, public places and their workplace. Individuals need to be sure their data is stored in a way that it cannot be exploited. All can benefit from the privacy that comes from encrypted, private, data secured by our blockchain platform.”

Integrating personal identity with immunization documents in a compliant and tamper-proof manner on an accessible digital platform is key to the success of implementing immunity certificates. The immunity certificate brings together biometric data (for confirmation of identity) and vaccination verification (for confirmation of immunity).

The complete solution has three main elements: 

• Multi-tenant platform powered by Billon’s DLT serving as a back-end for storing and securely sharing identity data and immunization document;
• A credential generator for health organizations executing and verifying vaccination;
• Digital front-end journeys, which allow citizens to use mobile devices to present their certificates using QR codes.

Billon’s immunity certificate solution addresses considerable practical, legal and technological challenges concerning data security and identity protection across large populations. As it is blockchain-based, it provides decentralised and immutable data storage – the ultimate level of reliable, tamper-proof security. Once a certificate is linked to an ID, it is immutably stored, so it cannot be modified by any participating party. This feature ensures an individual's capacity to control and protect their data is not compromised while mitigating the individual’s and the public health risk.

Benefits

For public institutions: The platform certifies who has completed the immunization requirements. Immunity certificates linked to identity allow tamper-proof validation on a digital platform. This protects individual privacy as the network operator cannot see any data. Only the publishers and the individual control the rights to share information. 

For businesses: The platform offers a promising solution to businesses during the transition period by ensuring safe and secure access and activity as an alternative to heavy restrictions for longer periods of time. Businesses can link the solution to their needs, such as “ready-to-work”, “safe-to-travel”, and “safe-to-enter” type of applications. Employers can also link the solution to security access systems, establishing a compliant, highly secure and efficient solution to solve for access control.

For individuals: The platform lets individuals use their phone or other digital device to instantly provide proof of vaccination. As it provides on-demand verification at entry points, workplaces and public indoor spaces are kept safe during the transition period. 

Innovate UK’ Fast Start Competition previously gave Billon Group a £50,000 grant to build a distributed ledger platform to store COVID-19 related certificates to support workers’ safe return to the workplace. This pilot scope, now refined, progresses to a fully functioning prototype for sharing, storage and verification of a wide range of workplace training and medical test documents. Billon is partnering with The Gekko Group for design and development of the user interface and mobile application. The companies recently won a £326,000 grant to deliver a solution to the market by the end of Q1 2021. This brings the value of the project to over $400,000.

About Billon

Billon created a DLT protocol and system specifically for tokenizing and transacting national currency and processing sensitive data in compliance with regulations, thus unleashing the transformational capabilities of blockchain technologies in the regulated world.  Billon’s underlying protocol was designed for high throughput levels and low cost of maintenance in a range of environments. The system supports clients developing their own enterprise-grade applications in areas of Accounts & Transactions, Trusted Documents, and Identity & Data Sharing.

Billon Group Ltd. was founded in the UK in 2015, following several years of R&D in Poland. Its unique DLT protocol has been supported by many R&D grants, including the EU Horizon 2020 program. Billon is licensed to issue electronic money by regulators in the UK and Poland.  Billon’s growing client list includes leading companies such as FIS, Raiffeisen Bank International and BIK (the Polish credit reporting agency). Billon has offices in London and Warsaw.

For more information, visit www.billongroup.com. Follow Billon Group on LinkedIn & Twitter & Facebook.

Media contacts:

For Europe: Maciej Józefowicz / maciej.jozefowicz@billongroup.com / tel. 0048 734 443 023

For North America: Nancy Broe / nbroe@fulltiltconsulting.com / tel. +1 678 230 9146