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  • Create Date 5 de July de 2023
  • Last Updated 14 de July de 2023

The Hyperledger Foundation has developed exciting technologies around blockchain that can be used to satisfy the needs of secure, transparent, and private access to computer systems and data services, such as the ones comprising the VitiGEOSS data services. Hyperledger is not a technology per se as it encompasses several modern and, mostly, industry-ready frameworks and projects, such as Aries, Besu, Fabric, Indy, Iroha, and Sawtooth.

The present report demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of the aforementioned modern tools when implemented within the VitiGEOSS API and assesses their ability to fulfil the needs and requirements of the platform when it comes to controlling authorization of end users.

Following research and hands-on testing, Blockchain arguments are divided into three categories: positive (i.e. offer additionality to the VitiGEOSS data service), neutral (no particular benefit or drawback), and negative (damaging to the VitiGEOSS system performance and usage experience).

Incorporating blockchain shall increase the privacy and transparency in certain scenarios. At the same time, procedural changes need to be implemented in relation to user credential management, architecture management, maintaining enough nodes for the consensus algorithm to operate, amongst others. When it comes to security, changes in the attack surface of a blockchain-based system as opposed to a conventional Web API should be studied.

However, it has been assessed that Hyperledger will have measurable impact on the platform. In particular, it will incur significant and constantly increasing costs for its hosting and maintenance hindering its ability to scale, it will affect the system's interoperability with future intelligent services, and it will raise several legal issues, especially due to lack of or partial compliance with GDPR, among others.


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