Olaniyan, A. Sekinat; Moradeyo, O. Motunrayo; Popoola, O. Peter; Araromi, A.
Adekunle
Research Report
Advancing the security of record management of record
management in education using blockchain technology
Suggested Citation: Olaniyan, A. Sekinat; Moradeyo, O. Motunrayo; Popoola, O. Peter; Araromi,
A. Adekunle (2023) : Advancing the security of record management of record management in
education using blockchain technology, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, Kiel,
Hamburg
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ADVANCING THE SECURITY OF RECORD MANAGEMENT IN
EDUCATION USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
1
OLANIYAN, A.S., 2MORADEYO O.M, 3POPOOLA,O.P. and 4Araromi, A.A
1,2
Dept. of Computer Science, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa,
Oyo State. Nigeria,
308mobeni@gmail.com
3,4
Mathematics and Statistics Deprt, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa,
Oyo State. Nigeria,
Abstract:
Blockchain technology has gained considerable attention due to its unique features including
decentralization, security, reliability, and data integrity. Despite this, much is yet to be known
about the current state of knowledge and practice regarding using blockchain technology in
education. This paper highlight the use cases of blockchain technology in Record
management, discuss the major components of Block-chain-based Educational Record
management, and then propose a system architecture for advancing the security of
result/record database in education using a consortium system to create certificate records on
the network. Comparison to related work has shown that block-chain-based record
management offers better possibilities for advancing the security of student database record
management and transferring information, certificate, or credentials at lesser cost and time.
Keywords: blockchain; blockchain applications; consortium, educational technology; decentralized
. Block-certs
1.0 Introduction
Blockchain is a digital-ledger-based technology developed to change the perspective
of the digital transactions, or specifically, to replace them. Blockchain is defined as a distinct,
decentralized distributed ledger that includes all transactions records related to participating
members. Blockchain transactions are created and stored in chronological order allowing
digital assets (such as digital currency and digital data) to be tracked by participants without
central record-keeping [1]. One of the key features in blockchain is that participating nodes in
the network will hold a copy of the full blockchain. All transactions on the blockchain must
be approved because transactions are only valid under the consensus agreement of the
participating members. In addition, all transactions must be trackable making fraudulent
transactions impossible to bypass [2]. When a user (user A) wants to make a transaction to
another user (user B) using blockchain, a new block is created to include the transaction.
Each transaction is broadcasted across network nodes to verify it. If the new transaction is
verified, the new block is added to the blockchain and distributed across network nodes so
that other nodes will update their blockchain. Finally, the transaction is received by another
user (user B).
The full process is depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Blockchain process.
Presently, blockchain technology has been applied in various fields such as
cryptocurrencies in the financial area, which includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Zcash
(Zerocash), etc. Bitcoin is the first peer-to-peer payment network of electronic cash based on
the blockchain technology. One of the crucial features of blockchain technology is how many
nodes in a distributed blockchain network maintain consensus and the Bitcoin blockchain
network adopts a hash-based Proof-of-Work (PoW) distributed consensus algorithm [4].
Ethereum is an open-source, public, blockchain-based distributed computing platform
featuring smart contract functionality using proof-of-stake consensus algorithm [13]. Zcash is
a decentralized and open-source cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. The development of blockchain
applications could be divided into three stages; Blockchain 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0. Blockchain 1.0
simply implies the disposition of cryptocurrencies as a peer-to-peer cash payment system. On
the other hand, Blockchain 2.0 connotes the widespread applications of blockchain other than
simple cash transactions, including stocks, bonds, loans, smart property and smart contacts.
Whereas, Blockchain 3.0 entails the development of blockchain applications further than
currency, finance, and markets, such as in the areas of government, health, science, literacy,
culture and art [5].
The great value of this new technology lies in its decentralized architecture, which
promotes the redistribution of power from central actors to the peers of a community. Through
blockchain, data produced through the web is not processed and stored into a central server.[8]
Several studies focused on how blockchain technology can be applied in education. Using
blockchain assures the security and privacy of data/transactions exchanged between the
intended parties. The nature of peer-to-peer topology in the blockchain helps reduce the
security risks in education field. [3]. The remainder of this highlight the use cases of blockchain
technology in record management and present a proposed system architecture for record
management.
2. Related Work
In recent years, blockchain technology has been widely used as the basic construct for
cryptocoins such as Bitcoin [9]. MIT has a system for building Blockchain-based
applications that issues and verifies official records called "Blockcerts Wallet". It allows, for
instance, the creation of a certificate wallet for students to receive virtual diplomas via their
smart devices. MIT Blockcerts Wallet system is a building application platform that has a
similar target in terms of allowing educational records creation and dissemination using
Blockchain. New promisingly Blockchain-based solutions include 'intelligent contracts'[10].
Blockchain based certificates have already been issued in the following instances:
The MIT Media Lab in its course “Lab‟s 30th Anniversary” of 2015.
Learning Machine, which has provided certificates in Human Resources to its staff.
The field of Global Entrepreneurship work (Global Entrepreneurship Bootcamp) held
in Seoul in March of 2016
3.0 Use cases of Blockchain technology in Record Management
Beyond its conventional use, blockchain is being implemented across various industries and
fields. Among these fields is education, where blockchain is beginning to be used in the most
surprising and innovative ways most especially in securing record and database of
institutions.
1. Transcripts, Diplomas, Certifications
It is estimated that in the United States alone, 200,000 fake diplomas are sold each year by
fake diploma mills. Some degrees can be purchased for as little as $100 dollars, and the price
can go up to $50,000, depending on what university diploma and transcript is being faked.
Surprisingly, the United States has not taken drastic measures to combat this issue, which
leaves it prevalent in the current educational landscape. To this day, verification of diplomas,
transcripts, and other important documents is pretty much a manual process. To combat this
issue, there are companies who propose to store these credentials on the blockchain. Learning
Machine, a 10-year-old software startup, has collaborated with the MIT (Malta‟s Institute of
Tourism) Media Lab to launch Blockcerts – an open infrastructure for creating, issuing,
viewing and verifying blockchain-based certificates. Also, the University of Nicosia has
issued blockchain-based academic certificates for their DFIN-511: Introduction to Digital
Currencies course. The authenticity of the document can be verified on the Bitcoin
blockchain.
2. Trust:
Blockchain network makes the trust decentralized too. Unlike the centralized trust we take for
granted, such as central governments issuing currencies and commercial banks, blockchain
network acts as new trust bearers with decentralized ledgers. These ledgers are shared among
a network of tamper-proofed nodes.
3. Security and File Storage
Without a doubt, it is important for schools to protect their networks and student information.
As education institutions store more and more data, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)
cloud storage could offer a safer alternative to conventional options that are currently being
used. Referring to themselves as the “Airbnb for file storage,” Filecoin allows the hosting of
files with flexible options. This could potentially be a great option for educational institutions
to store student information in a safer way- without the risk of information being tampered or
lost.
4. Standardization
Standardization is required among industry organizations to determine what success looks
like. This is for the benefit of students, educators and administrators and set expectations for
how data should be secured and accessed. There‟s a real need for a unified approach to
tracking and managing student certificates from educational institutions, professional
societies, trade associations, state examination boards and corporations. A single database
that‟s easily and digitally accessed from anywhere in the world creates a standard for verified
credentials, providing a universal method for storing, retrieving and sharing data. Blockchain
technology leverages cryptography for the security and verification of data. Cryptography
allows instant verification of a student‟s education records, matching a public and private key
for public access and private ownership authentication. This method of encryption is called
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and protects user data from theft and tampering. But record
security doesn‟t need to be confined to education records like university degrees; any type of
personal data or records can be stored on a digital ledger.
5. Identity Management
Here lies another use case for blockchain in education: a student‟s identity data can be stored
on a secure, public blockchain and instantly provided to their educational institution. The use
of public/private key cryptography methods ensure that a user‟s identity information remains
confidential on the blockchain and can only be decrypted when a user provides an institution
with their private key. Some public blockchains are interoperable, meaning they can „talk‟ to
each other and securely share a user‟s data at the user‟s request. This technology can
significantly streamline many of the manual processes currently in use to share data and
verify sources.
6. Transparent and Decentralized Records
If you‟ve ever made the effort to obtain a copy of your personal education transcript from a
university or college, then you‟re familiar with the unfortunate headache that‟s involved.
Many forms are required, sometimes needing to be physically mailed, payment made via old
fashioned check, with an open-ended wait period for receiving your transcript and no
guarantee of success. In a worst case scenario, your educational data could be lost or misfiled
and be gone for good.
While blockchain technology does face some of its own developmental issues, like scaling,
the great benefit of storing data on the blockchain is that the data is instantly and universally
accessible. Many organizations, like ODEM, are leveraging file storing solutions, like the
Interplanetary Filing System (IPFS), which supports storing and sharing in a distributed file
system. This technology allows for easy peer-to-peer data sharing and content-addressing
thus reducing the size of data files stored on the blockchain. Storing data across many
computers also ensures that educational data can‟t be modified without validated permissions.
7. Credentials Beyond University Degrees
Perhaps the greatest advantage of blockchain in education is that it facilitates inclusion.
Anyone who has their educational data stored on a blockchain can instantly provide proof of
their education credentials. But when we talk about inclusion, this doesn‟t need to be limited
to degrees from major universities. This application of blockchain in education expands
beyond just storage for public or private educational institutions. Records secured on-chain
could include industry certifications, vocational and apprenticeship records, corporate
training records and certifications from professional societies.
4.0 A BlockChain -Based Educational Record Management (BERM)
The Proposed Blockchain-Based Record management will adopt the consortium system since
only authorized persons are able to create certificates records on the network. On the other
hand, anyone can verify their authenticity. Thus, when registering an educational record, for
example, those responsible for creating the record writes in the registry or in the database
using its own private key. Users who want to check the veracity of the record must have a
corresponding identifier number to be inserted into the system. The Blockchain consortium is
a semi-private and partially decentralized chain system, in this scenario the nodes are
responsible for the validation of the transactions and how this happens depends on the
implementation of the consensus methods. The form of access and consultation of the records
can be public or private and the owner of the network is responsible for its configuration.
4.1 Blockchain-based Educational Records Management Components
The components of the BERM illustrated in figure 2 below reflect the business network to
be adopted which is suitable for an educational records repository that registers, manages and
provide access to them. The "asset information" component contains information related to
the educational record being managed by BERM. This component is responsible for asset's
definition and consistency. The "Business Model Information" component contains
information related to the process involved in the asset management. It defines basically the
participants and transactions involved in the process. The "Transaction Process Function"
component contains the information concerning the specific functions invoke in the business
model to manage the asset.
The "Access Rules" component contains the rules guiding the transactions and all priorities
among participants involved in the business model adopted.
Asset Information Business Model
Institution Transaction
Student Identity Participants e.g.
Record Type Students,
INTERNET SERVICES
Date (Request/Accessed) Administrator,
Other Information Industry user
Access
Transaction
Rules Process
Blockchain Ledger
Assets (xi-xn)
Figure 2: BERM Basic Operational Components
4.2 Proposed System Architecture for Record Management
The BERM structure uses the basic steps and operation flow of a blockchain-based
application which are Transaction, Request and verification.
i) A transaction is requested by someone who has prior authorization and needs to
create an educational record;
ii) The request record transaction is sent to the nodes belonging to the BERM system;
iii) The educational record transaction is verified by the ledger; and
iv) A new block of data corresponding to the educational record transaction is accessed or
created and annexed to the ledger becoming permanent and immutable completing the
transaction. The creation of a record transaction is executed as illustrated in Figure 3.
Students
Result
STUDENT
DATABASE /Credentials
Released
Peer to Peer Network
Industry Institution
validate the transaction
user add block to chain
Administrator
Figure 3: creation of record transaction
i) An administrator proceeds to write a record to the Blockchain account; the record is saved
and time-stamped in a block using arithmetic operations; the block is subsequently validated
by network pre-selected nodes through cryptography techniques; and the block is dated and
added to the block chain, so that all users can have access to the same chain since each node
builds its own exemplary independently. Once these steps have been executed, we can access
educational records with authenticity and integrity by simply using a credential (ID Card)
through a web browser.
5.0 Conclusion
Blockchain is being used in a number of security applications, ranging from record-keeping
to acting as part of the active data infrastructure. Nowadays a lot of malpractices are practiced
regarding manipulation of the results of university exams and in forgery of the final result or
certificate issued. Block chain itself has been used in the Bitcoin system known as the
decentralized Bank system, with a series of its application in education and also in other
sector such health institutions. This paper proposes and aims to implement a system for
secured and transparent management of results and issuance of certificate using block chain
algorithm. We have outlined the system architecture, the basic operational components and
how transaction record can be created. By comparison to previous work, we have shown that
the blockchain technology offers a new possibility for democratic countries to advance from
the pen and paper selection scheme, to a more cost- and time-efficient result handling
scheme, while increasing the security measures of the today‟s scheme and offer new
possibilities of transparency.
6.0 References
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of Computer Sci. 2018., 123, 116- 121.
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Applications in Education: A Systematic Review. College of Computing and Informatics,
Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh 11673, Saudi Arabia;
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Armenia.
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8. Wright, A., De Filippi, P. (2015) “Decentralized Blockchain Technology and the Rise of
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