Blockchian Based Hybrid Consensus Algorithm for Data Security in Edge Computing

Abstract

Abstract: Edge computing has emerged as a paradigm to process data closer to its source, enabling low-latency and real-time applications. However, the distributed and heterogeneous nature of edge environments poses significant challenges for ensuring data security and integrity. Blockchain technology offers a promising solution by providing a decentralized and immutable ledger for recording transactions. This abstract proposes a consensus algorithm tailored for securing data in edge computing environments using blockchain technology. The proposed consensus algorithm leverages a hybrid approach combining Proof of Authority (PoA) and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT). PoA ensures that only trusted nodes within the edge network are eligible to participate in the consensus process, mitigating the risk of malicious attacks. PBFT enhances the efficiency and scalability of the consensus algorithm by allowing fast decision-making among a subset of nodes, thereby reducing latency in data validation and verification. Furthermore, smart contracts are employed to enforce data access control and execute predefined rules for data processing and sharing. These smart contracts facilitate secure and transparent interactions among edge devices, ensuring that only authorized parties can access and manipulate sensitive data. The integration of blockchain technology with edge computing offers several benefits, including enhanced data security, traceability, and accountability. By employing a tailored consensus algorithm, edge computing environments can effectively mitigate security threats while maintaining low-latency data processing capabilities. Future research directions may explore optimization techniques to further improve the performance and scalability of the proposed solution in large-scale edge networks.