What is Proof of Authority (PoA)?

The cryptocurrency industry has undergone significant evolution since the first blockchain transaction on the Bitcoin network. In addition to well-established consensus algorithms like Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, new consensus mechanisms have been proposed.

What is Proof of Authority (PoA)?

Proof of Authority (PoA) is a consensus algorithm in blockchain technology that utilizes a set of designated validators to verify transactions and add new blocks to the chain. Unlike Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS), where the validation of transactions and the creation of new blocks are determined by computing power or the amount of stake held by a node, PoA relies on the identity of the validators to maintain the integrity of the network.

PoA networks are often used in private or consortium blockchain applications where a pre-selected group of entities is trusted to act as validators. These entities have undergone a verification process that confirms their identity and reputation, ensuring the security and transparency of the network.

Some of the benefits of using PoA include:

Faster transaction processing: PoA networks have a smaller number of validators, which results in faster confirmation times compared to PoW and PoS networks.
Energy efficiency: Unlike PoW, which requires a significant amount of energy to solve complex mathematical problems, PoA consumes very little energy, making it a more environmentally friendly solution.
Cost-effectiveness: PoA eliminates the need for expensive mining equipment and reduces the cost of network maintenance.
Increased security: With a pre-selected group of trusted validators, the risk of malicious actors corrupting the network is greatly reduced.

Advantages of Proof of Authority

Compared to Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus types, PoA consensus offers several advantages, including not requiring high-performance hardware, predictable block generation intervals, high transaction rates, and tolerance to compromised or malicious nodes as long as 51% of nodes are not compromised. This is achieved by having authorized network nodes generate blocks in a sequence at appointed time intervals and implementing a ban mechanism for nodes and ways to revoke block generation rights.

Disadvantages of Proof of Authority

The PoA mechanism is considered centralized due to the preapproval of validators. Its purpose is primarily to enhance the efficiency of centralized systems, with high bandwidth but also with concerns about immutability. Censorship and blacklisting can be easily implemented, and the identity of PoA validators is publicly accessible, which could potentially allow for manipulation by third parties. Despite this, it is argued that only reputable players hold the position of validator and their reputation as publicly known participants would incentivize them to act responsibly.

Conditions

PoA consensus implementations may vary, but the general conditions for their application require that validators confirm their real identities and be willing to invest money and put their reputation at stake. The selection process for validators must be fair to all candidates and their identities must be verified to maintain the integrity of the blockchain. To reduce the risk of selecting questionable validators and encourage long-term commitment, a process is in place to select honest validators.

Common Attacks

51% attack - In PoA consensus, a 51% attack requires an attacker to gain control over 51% of network nodes, which is more challenging compared to a 51% attack in Proof-of-Work consensus where the attacker needs to control 51% of network computational power. Unlike PoW, increasing the computational power of a node in a PoA network does not affect blockchain network decisions. In a PoW network, an attacker can boost the performance of the controlled network segment to increase the controlled percentage, but this is not possible in PoA consensus.
Distributed Denial-of-service attacks (DDos) - In a DDos attack, an attacker sends a high volume of transactions and blocks to a targeted network node to disrupt its operation and render it unavailable. The PoA mechanism provides a defense against such attacks by pre-authenticating network nodes and granting block generation rights only to nodes that are capable of resisting DoS attacks. If a node becomes unavailable for a certain period, it can be removed from the list of validating nodes.

The future of Proof of Authority

Each consensus mechanism, PoW, PoS, or PoA, has its own benefits and drawbacks. While decentralization is highly prized in the cryptocurrency community, PoA sacrifices it in favor of high throughput and scalability. Despite its different approach from traditional blockchains, PoA offers a promising solution for private blockchain applications as it balances performance and control.

In conclusion, PoA is likely to gain significant adoption in the enterprise sector. While it may not be suitable for large-scale public platforms with many users, it excels in creating compact and specific networks for a limited number of trusted stakeholders. This is where PoA shines and where it is expected to have the greatest impact.

What is Proof of Authority (PoA)?