Research Guide on the Evidence Value of Blockchain Documents

Glossary

Term DefinitionsBlockchain is a decentralized, distributed database used to record transaction data and ensure its security and immutability through cryptography.Permissioned Blockchain is a blockchain network that requires authorization to participate, the identity of participants is known, and is subject to certain restrictions and management.Off-chain StorageStore data outside the blockchain network and only store the hash value of the data on the blockchain to save storage space and improve efficiency.Hash ValueConvert data of any length into a string of fixed length through a hash algorithm to verify the integrity of the data.TimestampInformation that records the time of an event, used to prove the order of events.Integrity Verification Code (IVC)A code used to verify the integrity of data, usually a hash value or checksum of the data.Document Dating List (DDL)A list that records the hash value and timestamp of a document, used to prove the existence time and integrity of the document. Public Electronic Document Dating List (PEDDL®) is a public, trusted DDL used to record and verify the age and integrity of electronic documents. Daisy Chained Records links multiple blockchain records together through hash values to prove the relationship between multiple documents. Document Corral is a secure storage area for documents that have been registered in the blockchain. Quarantine removes documents that do not meet the conditions from the document quarantine area to ensure the integrity and security of the blockchain. Self-Addressed Blockchain Registration (SABRe) is a technology that allows documents to self-identify their record address in the blockchain. Short Answer Question

Explain the difference between permissioned blockchain and public blockchain, and how permissioned blockchain can be used for document verification.

The difference between permissioned blockchain and public blockchain is that the former requires authorization to join the network, while the latter can be participated by anyone. In permissioned blockchain, the identity of participants is known and subject to certain restrictions and management, which makes it more suitable for application scenarios that require a certain degree of security and trustworthiness, such as document verification.

What is off-chain storage and what advantages does it have in a blockchain-based document verification system?

Off-chain storage refers to storing data outside the blockchain network and only storing the hash value of the data on the blockchain. Doing so can save storage space, improve efficiency, and protect the privacy of documents.

Explain the role of hash functions in document verification.

Hash functions can convert data of any length into a string of fixed length (hash value). Due to the one-way and collision-resistant properties of hash functions, any modification to a document will result in a change in the hash value, so the integrity of the document can be verified by comparing the hash value.

What is a timestamp and how is it used to prove the existence time of a document?

Timestamp is information that records the time when an event occurs and can be obtained through a trusted third-party agency (timestamp server). Storing the timestamp together with the hash value of the document on the blockchain can prove that the document existed before the timestamp.

Explain the concept of document date list (DDL) and its role in document verification.

DDL is a list that records the hash value and timestamp of a document, which is used to prove the existence time and integrity of the document. By publishing DDL to multiple trusted third-party agencies, its credibility and tamper-resistance can be improved.

What is a daisy chain record and how is it used in a blockchain-based document verification system?

A daisy chain record is a chain of multiple blockchain records linked together by hash values and used to prove the relationship between multiple documents. For example, a daisy chain record can be used to prove that a set of documents were considered related at the time of registration.

Explain the role of document quarantine in a blockchain-based document verification system.

A document quarantine is a secure storage area for documents that have been registered in the blockchain. This protects the privacy of the documents and ensures that only authorized users can access them.

What is quarantine and how is it used in a blockchain-based document verification system?

Quarantine is the removal of non-compliant documents from the document quarantine to ensure the integrity and security of the blockchain. For example, if a document is found to contain illegal content, it can be quarantined.

Describe the concept of self-addressing blockchain registry (SABRe) and its advantages.

SABRe allows documents to self-identify their record address in the blockchain without relying on external indexes or databases. This technology improves efficiency and simplifies the document verification process.

Explain the principle of using network messages to timestamp blocks in the blockchain.

Including the hash of the block in a network message (e.g., SMS) and leveraging the timestamping service provided by the messaging network operator can provide a more granular timestamp for the block. Even if the messaging network operator is untrusted, the long-term reliability of the timestamp can be guaranteed by including the message in a more trusted blockchain.

Paper Title

Discuss the benefits and challenges of using blockchain technology for document authentication in a legal setting.

Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of on-chain and off-chain storage in blockchain-based document authentication systems.

Explore the potential impact of quantum computing on the security of current blockchain technology and propose strategies to mitigate these risks.

Analyze the suitability of different types of blockchains (public, permissioned, private) for document authentication and provide specific use cases.

Evaluate the impact of the Self-Addressable Blockchain Registry (SABRe) on the document authentication process and discuss its potential applications and limitations.