Blockchain Framework Research Articles

Securing oil port logistics: A blockchain framework for efficient and trustworthy trade documents.

The oil port logistics involves multiple parties including oil tanker owners, port authorities, customs, oil suppliers, and shipping companies. These parties need to exchange a significant amount of data and documentation related to cargo, such as bills of lading, customs declarations, and cargo manifests. This huge amount of data and documentation provides ample opportunities for data manipulation and corruption. Moreover, physical documentation is slow and prone to errors and manipulation. This data can be securely stored and shared between different parties in a tamper-proof and transparent manner using blockchain. Blockchain is a decentralized technology that employs secure hashing and consensus algorithms that can detect any data modification. Hence, this work proposes a blockchain-enabled immutable, and efficient framework for trade documentation in oil port logistics. The proposed framework provides timely processing of oil trade documents and ensures immutability while increasing trust among the trade entities. In addition, this work implements a private blockchain for the execution of smart contracts, which can ensure that all parties involved in the logistics process comply with pre-agreed rules and regulations. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in terms of transparency, immutability, network latency, throughput, and resource utilization.

A secure blockchain framework for healthcare records management systems

AbstractElectronic health records are one of the essential components of health organizations. In recent years, there have been increased concerns about privacy and reputation regarding the storage and use of patient information. In this regard, the information provided as a part of medical and health insurance, for instance, can be viewed as proof of social insurance and governance. Several problems in the past few decades regarding medical information management have threatened patient information privacy. In intelligent healthcare applications, the privacy of patients' data is one of the main concerns. As a result, blockchain is a severe necessity as it can enhance transparency and security in medical applications. Accordingly, this paper uses the design science method to propose a secure blockchain framework for healthcare records management systems. The proposed framework comprises five components: a blockchain network, smart contracts, privacy key management, data encryption, and integration with healthcare information technology. In the proposed framework, healthcare organizations can manage healthcare information securely and privately. Additionally, a secure storage system for electronic records is proposed to meet these organizations' needs. It provides security and privacy for healthcare organizations, especially when managing healthcare information, and also proposes a secure storage system for electronic records to meet the needs of the organizations.

Blockchain Applications in Cyber Liability Insurance

Blockchain technology is revolutionizing cyber liability insurance (CLI) by addressing key challenges in underwriting, risk assessment, and claims management. As cyber-attacks become more frequent and complex, the demand for effective CLI solutions has surged. Traditional insurance practices often fall short in this rapidly evolving landscape. Blockchain offers a decentralized, secure, and transparent approach, enhancing the accuracy of risk assessments and preventing fraudulent claims. By maintaining an immutable ledger of historical claims, blockchain allows for better comparison of new claims against past data. Additionally, smart contracts within blockchain frameworks can automate claims processing, reducing administrative tasks and speeding up resolutions. Blockchain also enables decentralized, peer-to-peer insurance platforms, allowing multiple insurers to pool resources and share risks in a transparent, efficient manner. This study explores how blockchain can transform CLI, improving efficiency and security across the industry.

A Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Blockchain Framework for Improving Vehicular Internet of Things Cybersecurity

The Vehicular Internet of Things (VIoT) is a novel idea in the field of connected transportation systems that defines a new paradigm. Nevertheless, even the most modern and complex system will require additional and more powerful layers to protect the conversation from interception and the data from leakage. The centralized models have problems like trust problems and that there might be vulnerabilities and that is why there are attempts to integrate decentralization in operation. The first challenge in the VIoT networks is that the security and openness of such a connection and data transfer are still not well developed. Another issue is the security and dependability of the interaction between the vehicles and the infrastructure, although this issue is magnified by the size of the VIoT network. This research is a blockchain and game theory base research that uses Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) to improve the security and efficiency of the VIoT ecosystem. The technology of blockchain gives a distributed ledger where data cannot be altered or erased. Moreover, the MARL architecture allows for the realisation of better decisions for each of the members of the network. To this, the set that was made up of the smart contracts, Vehicle Units (VUs) and the decentralized servers that form the proposed architecture would be added to allow for the right flow and processing of the data. The blockchain’s decentralized nature provides a guarantee for all secure, immutable data transfers and transparent transactions throughout the network of the VIoT. MARL enables agents to learn and acquire the best strategies as they pass through time, which leads to secure and effective communication among entities. Besides, the implementation of lightweight cryptography techniques and strategic selections according to game theory help to protect and improve the performance of the security system of the VIoT ecosystem.

Cutting-Edge Amalgamation of Web 3.0 and Hybrid Chaotic Blockchain Authentication for Healthcare 4.0

Healthcare 4.0 is considered the most promising technology for gathering data from humans and strongly couples with a communication system for precise clinical and diagnosis performance. Though sensor-driven devices have largely made our everyday lives easier, these technologies have been suffering from various security challenges. Because of data breaches and privacy issues, this heightens the demand for a comprehensive healthcare solution. Since most healthcare data are sensitive and valuable and transferred mostly via the Internet, the safety and confidentiality of patient data remain an important concern. To face the security challenges in Healthcare 4.0, Web 3.0 and blockchain technology have been increasingly deployed to resolve the security breaches due to their immutability and decentralized properties. In this research article, a Web 3.0 ensemble hybrid chaotic blockchain framework is proposed for effective and secure authentication in the Healthcare 4.0 industry. The proposed framework uses the Infura Web API, Web 3.0, hybrid chaotic keys, Ganache interfaces, and MongoDB. To allow for more secure authentication, an ensemble of scroll and Henon maps is deployed to formulate the high dynamic hashes during the formation of genesis blocks, and all of the data are backed in the proposed model. The complete framework was tested in Ethereum blockchain using Web 3.0, in which Python 3.19 is used as the major programming tool for developing the different interfaces. Formal analysis is carried out with Burrows–Abadi–Needham Logic (BAN) to assess the cybersecurity reliability of the suggested framework, and NIST standard tests are used for a thorough review. Furthermore, the robustness of the proposed blockchain is also measured and compared with the other secured blockchain frameworks. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model exhibited more defensive characteristics against multiple attacks and outperformed the other models in terms of complexity and robustness. Finally, the paper gives a panoramic view of integrating Web 3.0 with the blockchain and the inevitable directions of a secured authentication framework for Healthcare 4.0.

PatCen: A blockchain-based patient-centric mechanism for the granular access control of infectious disease-related test records.

The recent global outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, yellow fever, and Ebola have highlighted the critical need for robust health data management systems that can rapidly adapt to and mitigate public health emergencies. In contrast to traditional systems, this study introduces an innovative blockchain-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) access control mechanism that effectively safeguards patient data integrity and privacy. The proposed approach uniquely integrates granular data access control mechanism within a blockchain framework, ensuring that patient data is only accessible to explicitly authorized users and thereby enhancing patient consent and privacy. This system addresses key challenges in healthcare data management, including preventing unauthorized access and overcoming the inefficiencies inherent in traditional access mechanisms. Since the latency is a sensitive factor in healthcare data management, the simulations of the proposed model reveal substantial improvements over existing benchmarks in terms of reduced computing overhead, increased throughput, minimized latency, and strengthened overall security. By demonstrating these advantages, the study contributes significantly to the evolution of health data management, offering a scalable, secure solution that prioritizes patient autonomy and privacy in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape.

Blockchain on Sustainable Environmental Measures: A Review

Blockchain has emerged as a solution for ensuring accurate and truthful environmental variable monitoring needed for the management of pollutants and natural resources. The immutability property of blockchain helps protect the measured data on pollution and natural resources to enable truthful reporting and effective management and control of polluting agents. However, specifics on what to measure, how to use blockchain, and highlighting which blockchain frameworks have been adopted need to be explored to fill the research gaps. Therefore, we review existing works on the use of blockchain for monitoring and managing environmental variables in this paper. Specifically, we examine existing blockchain applications on greenhouse gas emissions, solid and plastic waste, food waste, food security, water usage, and the circular economy and identify what motivates the adoption of blockchain, features sought, used blockchain frameworks and consensus algorithms, and the adopted supporting technologies to complement data sensing and reporting. We conclude the review by identifying practical works that provide implementation details for rapid adoption and remaining challenges that merit future research.

An improved smart contract-based bring your own device (BYOD) security control framework

The evolution of mobile technology has produced new methods and policies for organisations to process data and communicate. Bring your own device (BYOD), which allows employees to bring their own personal devices to work and access organisational resources for work purposes, is one such new policy. However, as this practice poses significant risks, organisations must implement commensurate security measures to protect their integrity. This paper aimed to mitigate these risks by proposing a decentralized and unassailable security control solution tailored to the BYOD environment. The proposed architecture leveraged business blockchain with smart contracts (SCs) to automate policy compliance and strictly adhere to organisational rules and regulations. The research demonstrated that this approach effectively reduces access control (AC) threats and enhances security policies and management. The findings highlighted that the implementation of SCs within a blockchain framework significantly improves the security of the BYOD environment by minimising the risks of unauthorised access, data breaches, and insider threats. Additionally, SCs enable organisations to establish decentralised and tamper-proof security control systems, reducing the dependence on centralised authorities and bolstering overall system integrity.

The Innovative Model of Blockchain Technology and Its Application in Promoting International Fair Trade: Design and Analysis of the IFTBOM Blockchain Framework Model

In this Research, researchers proposed a new framework model for applying blockchain technology, aiming to solve multiple challenges in international fair trade. Through a detailed analysis of the existing trade imbalance and market access restrictions, the paper expounds how blockchain technology can improve the transparency and fairness of trade through its core functions.Globalization and technological progress have promoted the rapid development of international trade, but also brought many challenges. The fair-trade movement tried to provide more fair-trading conditions for small-scale producers in developing countries, but the market acceptance was not high, and consumers' cognition was limited. The purpose of this study is to explore how blockchain technology can promote fair trade practices, especially through real-time monitoring and verification of the fairness of trade activities, and how to deal with uncertainties and data changes in fair trade. The design and implementation of IFTBOM model is expected to significantly improve the global fair-trade environment, especially for small-scale producers in developing countries, and help significantly improve their economic and social conditions. By implementing these policies and practices, we can expect to achieve a fairer and more transparent trade environment in the global context.

A novel ALM based security framework for block chain in healthcare platform

A novel ALM based security framework for block chain in healthcare platform

Anticipate, automate, accelerate: A framework for blockchain in anticipatory action

Anticipatory action (AA) refers to a series of interventions executed when a hazard presents imminent danger, as indicated by forecasts, early warnings, or pre-disaster risk analyses. It involves proactive measures undertaken by individuals or organizations before an expected disaster to lessen its impact on people, assets, and infrastructure likely to be affected. An increasing array of inter-governmental bodies, governments, United Nations entities, global non-governmental organizations, and Red Cross and Red Crescent movements, have been delving into and utilizing anticipatory action. It has been heralded globally by governments, donors and organizations alike as being a more protective, practical, and cost-effective method of disaster risk management. However, ongoing pilots by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners have exposed a significant level of friction between the capacity and speed of existing systems and stakeholders to execute these processes in a manner that is synchronized and timely enough to have the intended impact.This research investigates the potential of blockchain technology to streamline AA programs. It analyzes existing academic and non-academic sources (scholarly and gray literature) to develop a framework for identifying which blockchain applications can be most beneficial. By viewing smart contracts, data oracles, and decentralized finance (DeFi) as a toolbox, the framework examines how these technologies can be used to digitize and simplify AA processes. For AA practitioners, this approach offers a practical solution to potentially increase efficiency and speed within existing program structures. Additionally, it may have the secondary benefit of simplifying cash transfer delivery. Ultimately, this piece seeks to be more thought-provoking than prescriptive; as both areas of work (AA and blockchain technology) are continuously evolving, hopefully new cross-sectoral collaborations can ensue and provide more granular insights on what AA and blockchain synergies look like in practice.

BRON: A blockchained framework for privacy information retrieval in human resource management

The correctness and the true validated data in Human Resource Management (HRM) are important for organizations as the data plays an impactful role in recruiting, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce. On one hand, the validated data in an organization helps in recruiting legitimate skillful employees; on the other hand, keeping the employee's data safe and maintaining privacy laws such as compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is also an organization's responsibility. Besides, transparency in human resource management operations is crucial because it promotes trust and fairness within an organization. The present HRM systems are centralized in nature and their verifiable credential system is ineffective; this leads to the intentions of internal data sabotage or internal threats. Besides, the organizations' biases also become more prominent.In this paper, we address the above-mentioned problems with a blockchain framework for HRM to utilize the privacy of data access through a Privacy Information Retrieval (PIR) process. To be specific, our proposed framework called Blockchained piR of resOurces as humaN (BRON), is the first blockchain framework to show an effective mechanism to access data from organizations globally without hampering privacy. BRON uses a generalized user registration process to use the services of data access and in the background, it uses Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) for global verification and PIR for privacy-based data retrieval. More specifically, credential verification and ZKP-based PIR are the highlights of our proposed BRON. Another interesting aspect of BRON is the use of Proof-of-Authority (PoA) to validate the anonymity and unlinkability of any HR operation. Finally, BRON has also contributed with a smart contract to incentivize the employees. BRON is very generic and easily be customizable as per the HR requirements. We run a set of experiments on BRON and observe that it is successful in providing privacy-assured data access and decentralized human resource data management. Overall, BRON provides 30% reduced latency and 35% better throughput as compared to the existing blockchain solutions in the direction of HRM.

Optimizing pool mining performance: A VIKOR‐based model for identifying reputed miners in blockchain networks

AbstractBlockchain networks continue to gain attraction in cutting‐edge applications and mining within these networks has become increasingly popular. To get rewards, miners solve cryptographic puzzles and add new blocks to blockchain networks using the proof‐of‐work (PoW) consensus mechanism. Numerous miners opt to participate in mining pools due to the challenges of solo mining. However, selecting reputed miners for pool mining poses a significant challenge, given the decentralized nature of the blockchain system. This paper addresses this challenge by introducing a new ranking model that evaluates miners' performance and reputation through trust scores. It provides a method for optimizing pool mining performance by identifying highly reputed miners within mining pools, enhancing overall pool profitability. This endeavor necessitates the development of ranking algorithms tailored to the unique dynamics of mining pools. The research offers a meticulously designed ranking model that identifies reputed miners. We extensively evaluate the proposed model using the hyperledger blockchain framework, guaranteeing strong performance across vital metrics like block authorization time, Processing time, block creation time, validation time, and confirmation time.

Enhanced collaborative intrusion detection for industrial cyber-physical systems using permissioned blockchain and decentralized federated learning networks

In the digital economy, the security of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) is paramount. Despite the deployment of various Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) in industrial CPSs, the primary obstacles to the advanced research include class imbalance, privacy gap, model homogenization, and arbitrary aggregation. Thus, in this paper, a Permissioned Blockchain-enabled decentralized federated distillation Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), namely PB-fdGAN, is proposed for Collaborative IDSs (CIDSs) in industrial CPSs. The novel Local Differential Privacy (LDP)-external classifier GAN (ecGAN) addresses class imbalance and privacy concerns by integrating label conditions into the latent space and using Wasserstein distance for stability in semi-supervised learning. Additionally, a Decentralized Federated Distillation (DFD) scheme allows for collaborative model building without data exchange, enhancing privacy and diversity. Moreover, a Quality of Service (QoS)-consortium blockchain framework with a new QoS evaluation strategy ensures reliable and effective model aggregation. The experimental evaluation demonstrates the high effectiveness of PB-fdGAN in detecting various types of cyber threats and the superiorities over state-of-the-art IDS solutions.

P2P electricity trading model for urban multi-virtual power plants based on double-layer energy blockchain

The urban virtual power plant (VPP) enhances the overall performance of the urban power system by aggregating diverse distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide energy services. With the advancement of smart grid technology, peer-to-peer (P2P) electricity trading has emerged a new paradigm of electricity trading within urban VPPs. In this study, we propose a P2P electricity trading model for multi-VPPs in urban areas, based on a double-layer energy blockchain framework. Initially, users submit their electricity trading information for matching at the user layer; any remaining unfulfilled electricity demand is then further matched at the VPP layer. The user participation process in trading encompasses several stages: trading start, matching, validation, execution, and settlement. Additionally, this study introduces a double-layer blockchain structure consisting of one main chain and multiple side chains. The main chain records real-time trading information from the VPP layer while the side chains are dedicated to recording real-time trading information from the user layer. The feasibility of the proposed model is demonstrated through its implementation in Hyperledger Fabric. Experimental results indicate that the proposed model effectively reduces urban users' reliance on the main grid and decreases their electricity expenses.

Enhancing privacy and security in smart healthcare: A blockchain-powered decentralized data dissemination scheme

Dissemination of health data in smart healthcare allows a patient’s health information to be accessible across healthcare communities for the improvement of patients’ care services. In our work, data collected from a patient’s automated health device is distributed to the communities through the blockchain network. Blockchain technology paves the way for the health sector to run in a decentralized system. To achieve a secure decentralized data dissemination, the transmitted health data must be reliable, that is, data is assured originated from a legitimate device without unlawful alteration. However, verification of such reliability may jeopardize a patient’s privacy. In healthcare, privacy is of the utmost importance to protect sensitive health data. At the same time, should misbehavior arise, malicious entities should be held accountable. We satisfy these conflicting requirements of reliability, privacy and accountability with our proposed secure decentralized data dissemination scheme for smart healthcare that integrates a certificate-based signcryption with a proxy re-encryption (Sign-Proxy) scheme and an Improved Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus protocol for the system construction. The Sign-Proxy provides users a desirable level of security while delivering lightweight computation for limited computing capabilities of automated health devices. In parallel, the Improved DPoS facilitates the streamlined and secure adoption of a consortium blockchain framework. The security and performance analysis indicate that the proposed scheme is resilience against adversarial attacks, achieves overall efficiency, and feasible for real-world deployment.

Blockchain-based Framework for Security and Privacy Solutions in VANET

The use of blockchain technology to strengthen the privacy and security of vehicle ad hoc networks has recently garnered much attention. A private and secure network for vehicular communication can be set up by taking advantage of Blockchain's decentralized and tamper-proof properties. One of the key advantages of integrating Blockchain with VANET is creating an open and immutable record of transactions. This function guarantees no one can tamper with the securely recorded data exchanges and vehicle communications. In addition, an extra layer of protection for VANET communication can be achieved by authenticating and encrypting messages using cryptographic techniques within the blockchain framework. Smart contracts, which execute themselves according to predetermined rules written into code, are another innovation that emerged from blockchain technology. VANET's security and privacy policies can be automated and enforced, making the network even more trustworthy and reliable by using this feature. By adopting a blockchain-based architecture, VANET can enhance the privacy, security, and trust between vehicles and infrastructure parts. In this paper, we look at blockchain technology, its advantages and disadvantages, and how it could solve the privacy and security issues in VANET.

Framework for smart contract blockchain in halal traceability, integrity, and transparency

Currently, the halalness of a product may only be determined by the halal certificate or halal label displayed on the product packaging. Simply put, several halal-related issues, like cross-contamination, logistical issues, halal counterfeiting, global halal acceptance, and so forth, keep coming up. To address the numerous issues raised above, it is believed that a framework that can support worldwide halal provisions is necessary. The objective of this research is to create a blockchain smart contract framework for halal transparency, integrity, and traceability. Blockchain technology along with smart contracts can solve classic tracing problems including data leakage, manipulation, and invisible data. Organizational consistency across the halal production process and the availability of raw materials that adhere to sharia laws are two more basic challenges with halal certification that blockchain and smart contracts can resolve. The usual traceability problems, such as data explosion, material cross-contamination between halal and haram, and revelation of private information, can all be resolved by smart contracts that make use of on-chain, off-chain, and electronic product code information services (EPCIS).

Enterprise financial sharing and risk identification model combining recurrent neural networks with transformer model supported by blockchain

The objective of this study is to investigate methodologies concerning enterprise financial sharing and risk identification to mitigate concerns associated with the sharing and safeguarding of financial data. Initially, the analysis examines security vulnerabilities inherent in conventional financial information sharing practices. Subsequently, blockchain technology is introduced to transition various entity nodes within centralized enterprise financial networks into a decentralized blockchain framework, culminating in the formulation of a blockchain-based model for enterprise financial data sharing. Concurrently, the study integrates the Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) algorithm with the transformer model, presenting an enterprise financial risk identification model referred to as the BiLSTM-fused transformer model. This model amalgamates multimodal sequence modeling with comprehensive understanding of both textual and visual data. It stratifies financial values into levels 1 to 5, where level 1 signifies the most favorable financial condition, followed by relatively good (level 2), average (level 3), high risk (level 4), and severe risk (level 5). Subsequent to model construction, experimental analysis is conducted, revealing that, in comparison to the Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) algorithm mechanism, the proposed model achieves a throughput exceeding 80 with a node count of 146. Both data message leakage and average packet loss rates remain below 10 %. Moreover, when juxtaposed with the recurrent neural networks (RNNs) algorithm, this model demonstrates a risk identification accuracy surpassing 94 %, an AUC value exceeding 0.95, and a reduction in the time required for risk identification by approximately 10 s. Consequently, this study facilitates the more precise and efficient identification of potential risks, thereby furnishing crucial support for enterprise risk management and strategic decision-making endeavors.

Analytic Hierarchy Process Assessment Framework for Blockchain in Renewable Energy

The urgency to reach net-zero emissions until 2050 has created a vast interest in innovative technologies for renewable energy sector. At the same time the need for trusty and unfailing solutions will rise considering the increasing amount of decentralized and decarbonized energy systems. It has previously been described in the literature that the aforementioned characteristics could be combined by blockchain technology. Therefore, this study focuses on the practical side – the opinion of industry experts about the use of blockchain technology in renewable energy. By using analytic hierarchy process analysis, the goal of this study is to develop a methodology for the selection of the most appropriate blockchain applications in renewable energy and to identify and evaluate the possible types of use taking into account socio-economic, political and legal, technological and environmental factors. The results of this study highlights the important influence of political, legal and technological factors like involvement of government institutions and possible attacks to the system, but considers the economic factors as the least significant for the introduction and use of blockchain technology in the renewable energy sector. The most promising use cases for blockchain would be associated with reliable and immutable certificates of origin for renewable energy and use in smart grid (including smart metering), smart homes and relevant Internet of Things applications. The use of crypto-assets and initial coin offerings for renewable energy development should be viewed with precaution and willingness to inform and educate considering social factors like public opinion and societies’ knowledge on crypto-assets.