Y6 Validator

Ensuring Export File Integrity and Authenticity 

In the realm of data security, ensuring that information remains intact and unaltered during its journey is crucial. This is where the YourSix Validator Tool (https://validator.platform.yoursix.com/) steps in. Designed to verify that export files from the YourSixOS platform are both authentic and unaltered, this tool is a vital asset for anyone handling sensitive data. 

Background 

When a ZIP bundle is exported from the YourSixOS platform, it may travel through various hands before reaching its final destination, such as a judge, prosecutor, or investigator. During this transit, there is a risk of tampering by malicious actors. To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to have a mechanism to validate the file’s authenticity and ensure it hasn’t been altered since its creation. 

Integrity: Why It Matters 

Integrity refers to the assurance of data accuracy and consistency throughout its lifecycle. One common method for integrity checking is the use of file checksums. Here’s a breakdown of how it works: 

• Hash Algorithms: The file’s data is processed through a hash algorithm, such as SHA256 or SHA512. This generates a unique fixed-length string called a digest.
• Collision Resistance: Different files produce different digests, making it extremely unlikely for two files to ever have the same checksum.
• Irreversibility: The original file cannot be reconstructed from its checksum, ensuring that the digest cannot be reverse-engineered. 

By comparing the checksum of a file to one from a trusted source, we can confirm whether the file has remained unchanged. 

Authenticity: Verifying the Source 

Authenticity ensures that the data originates from the expected source. Since checksums are both collision-resistant and irreversible, they are ideal for verifying authenticity when used with secure online checking methods. This is typically achieved through HTTPS, which, when backed by globally trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs), provides a secure way to confirm the file’s source. 

How the YourSix Validator Tool Works 

• Checksum Storage: Each export ZIP file’s checksum is stored securely in the YourSixOS database. 
• Incoming Checksum Comparison: When a checksum from a third party is received, it is compared against the stored checksums. If there is a match, it confirms that the file originated from YourSixOS and is not an altered file. 

Accessibility and Security 

To ensure that the validation process is accessible to all relevant parties within the law enforcement chain, the application is available without user authentication. Given the collision-resistant and irreversible nature of checksums, this approach maintains high security while ensuring ease of access.