Blockchains offer a great platform for organisations and governments to secure their digital assets in a tamper-proof way.
Cybersecurity refers to the mechanisms that protect digital infrastructure, networks and programs from malicious attacks and unauthorised access. Security controls are put in place to safeguard sensitive information and ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
Malware (such as viruses, worms, or Trojan horses) can disrupt systems by corrupting files or stealing sensitive information. Phishing attacks use fake emails or websites to deceive users into providing their login credentials or financial information. Denial-of-service (DoS) and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks flood servers with so much traffic that websites and software applications become unavailable. In a man-in-the-middle attack, a cyber criminal intercepts the communication between two parties to steal information or manipulate a message. Zero day exploits take advantage of the unknown vulnerabilities of the software so that hackers can infiltrate a network before a software patch is released.
In the era of artificial intelligence, deepfake technology is adding to the complexity of the cyber security landscape. Another key risk is insider attacks, where employees or partners misuse their access to compromise data. While the number of IoT (Internet of Things) devices being used is steadily increasing, so are the IoT security threats; connected devices often have poor security protocols and are susceptible to hacking.
Businesses try and counteract these threats with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and advanced endpoint security solutions. There are multiple cyber security frameworks in place (NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, CIS Controls, etc) to help protect digital assets. Continuous threat intelligence, security audits and employee training are key to a strong cyber security defence designed to detect and prevent specific attacks.
The changing landscape of cyber threats has made proactive security strategies increasingly important, whether using blockchain technology to secure transactions or AI-driven threat detection to protect the digital ecosystem.
Using blockchain for cybersecurity
Blockchain technology is redefining cybersecurity by offering decentralised, immutable and transparent solutions for different security issues. One of the key applications of blockchain in cybersecurity is identity management, as it provides secure and tamper-proof identities that lower the chance of identity theft and fraud.
The use of decentralised storage solutions based on blockchain makes it virtually impossible for hackers to modify or steal crucial data. Blockchains can also help secure IoT devices and transmitted data by allowing authenticated devices to share data over secure ledgers.
The blockchain environment enhances incident response and threat intelligence sharing by providing a means for security professionals to exchange credible threat data across a trusted cadre, free from the risk of tampering. Security protocols are further automated through smart contracts, which must be adhered to, meaning that few humans are involved and human error is eliminated. In general, blockchain strengthens the resilience to cyber threats.
Using a blockchain for cybersecurity applications involves:
- Data integrity
- Identity and access management
- Data protection
- Secure communication and transactions
- Ransomware protection
Using a blockchain for digital forensics applications entails:
- Chain of custody (CoC) management
- Timestamping and evidence authentication
- Smart contracts for compliance
- Decentralised threat intelligence
Blockchain technology addresses data integrity and protection by using smart contracts. The immutability of the blockchain secures sensitive information like medical records, financial transactions and legal documents from nefarious tampering or erasure. For instance, the government in Estonia uses the blockchain to secure all its sensitive data.
Blockchain is also being used to protect smart grids and other critical infrastructure. Blockchain based networks allow organisations to share real-time threat information in a secure environment (without the risk of data tampering or data leakage) while ensuring that all incidents, events and responses are written to a permanent shared ledger to maintain accurate records, and to build a feedback loop based on the exchange of threat intelligence.
Frameworks for collaboration to facilitate sharing of cyber threat data in real-time using blockchain technology to counter global cyber threats are being established by many government and corporate agencies. As cyber-attacks become more advanced, the blockchain is emerging as a key technology, offering a game-changing platform for businesses, governments and individuals to secure their digital assets in a transparent, trustless and tamper-proof way.
Key tools that can be used for:
Identity managementuPort, https://www.uport.me/  Data integrity and protectionBigchainDB, https://www.bigchaindb.com/ 
IoT securityNodle, https://www.nodle.com/ Threat intelligence sharingIBM Collaborative Threat Intelligence Platform (Open-Source Components), https://www.ibm.com/security Digital evidence managementGuardtime, https://guardtime.com/ |
Using blockchain for digital evidence management
The role of digital evidence in modern law enforcement, cybersecurity investigations and court cases cannot be overstated. Nonetheless, it poses a significant challenge with respect to integrity, authenticity and chain of custody. Conventional evidence management stores data in centralised databases, prone to tampering, unauthorised access and data corruption. Blockchain technology is a decentralised, immutable and transparent ledger that has the potential of transforming how digital evidence is managed by securely indenting every stage of the digital evidence life cycle.
In practice, a national law enforcement agency struggles to ensure the integrity of digital evidence including emails, surveillance footage, and forensic reports. There is no secure tracking system, which raises concerns of unauthorised changes and losing that critical data. To combat these challenges, the agency can adopt a ledger-based evidence management platform that logs each evidence with a unique cryptographic hash key. This hash is kept in a distributed ledger so that if any evidence is modified, it will no longer match the hash value, indicating that the evidence has been tampered with.
Transparency and auditability of the chain of custody
A major advantage of this system is an easily auditable chain of custody. Any access, change, or transfer of evidence is automatically recorded as a new transaction on the blockchain, creating an immutable activity log. It enables legal professionals, law enforcement officers and forensics analysts to authenticate the provenance of evidence directly, without intermediaries. The decentralised nature of the blockchain means that there is no single point of failure, making it less likely for evidence to be lost or corrupted due to system failures or cyber-attacks.
Another key advantage is the automated legal compliance provided by smart contracts. If a piece of evidence needs to be transferred between departments or presented in court, the smart contract automatically executes the authorisation process required, ensuring adherence to legal protocols. This improves security as well as decreases administrative loads and the risk of human mistakes.
The blockchain-based system makes it possible to securely transfer evidence between jurisdictions. In more complicated cross-border investigation situations, it was frequently difficult for law enforcement agencies in different jurisdictions to securely exchange digital evidence. By putting in place a permissioned blockchain network, only authorised agencies can access records of verified evidence.
Blockchain technology has shown its potential to change the paradigm of digital evidence by ensuring security, transparency and reliability. With institutions in the legal and law enforcement fields implementing blockchain based solutions, digital evidence will have greater integrity, which will contribute to fair legal processes.
Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving discipline that is crucial for securing electronic assets against a wide range of cyber-attacks. With technology advancing, the cybercriminals have advanced as well and that is why security measures are also evolving. While modern technologies do improve protection, a multi-layered security approach with traditional security mechanisms should be integrated for enhanced protection.
Training and awareness campaigns are critical to security solutions, particularly as human error continues to be a leading cause of cyber events. More intelligent security frameworks need to emerge — mandated cyber hygiene policies, championed by government and commercial entities, as well as funded research pursuits on academic campuses. A proactive, research-driven approach will remain critical for building a more secure and resilient digital future.
