ChainGuard: A Blockchain-based Authentication and Access Control Scheme for Distributed Networks
Faisal Haque Bappy, Joon S. Park, Kamrul Hasan, Tariqul Islam
TL;DR
The paper addresses the risks of centralized authentication in distributed networks and argues for a fully decentralized approach. It introduces ChainGuard, a blockchain-based authentication and access control scheme built on smart contracts to manage identities, roles, and permissions across organizations. Key contributions include the URA and PRA workflows, the SCU and SCO smart contracts, and the Blockchain-based Identity Manager plus Wallet as core components, enabling auditable, on-chain RBAC. The work demonstrates improved security, transparency, and cross-organizational operability, with plans for full implementation and real-world pilots to validate performance.
Abstract
As blockchain technology gains traction for enhancing data security and operational efficiency, traditional centralized authentication systems remain a significant bottleneck. This paper addresses the challenge of integrating decentralized authentication and access control within distributed networks. We propose a novel solution named ChainGuard, a fully decentralized authentication and access control mechanism based on smart contracts. ChainGuard eliminates the need for a central server by leveraging blockchain technology to manage user roles and permissions dynamically. Our scheme supports user interactions across multiple organizations simultaneously, enhancing security, efficiency, and transparency. By addressing key challenges such as scalability, security, and transparency, ChainGuard not only bridges the gap between traditional centralized systems and blockchain's decentralized ethos but also enhances data protection and operational efficiency.