Abstract: A trusted device is positioned within a private consensus network. The trusted device includes a memory and processing circuitry in communication with the memory. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain, from a private distributed ledger associated with the private consensus network, rules associated with the private consensus network, the private distributed ledger being accessible only to devices positioned within the private consensus network, to identify one or more other trusted devices positioned within the private consensus network, to receive, from an unidentified device positioned within the private consensus network, an identity verification request to identify the unidentified device within the private consensus network, to determine, based on the obtained rules, whether to approve or deny the identity verification request, and to communicate, to the one or more other trusted devices, a vote indicative of the determination of whether to approve or deny the identity verification request.