ZUni: The Application of Blockchain Technology in Validating and Securing Educational Credentials

Abstract

The rapid development of blockchain technology in IoT applications, including finance, government, and education, is attributed to its decentralized, secure, and transparent features. Within the IoT context, blockchain technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the management and verification of educational credentials. We propose the ZUni system as a potential solution that applies blockchain technology to transform how verifiers authenticate students’ credentials and validate their education, ensuring integrity and data security. We utilize IPFS to store credential details, Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) and Decentralized Identifiers (DID) on the Ethereum Blockchain to establish a clear and immutable record of the certification process, enabling confident verification of credential authenticity. This article aims to contribute to the growing understanding of the IoT-based application of blockchain technology in the educational system. It addresses prevailing issues associated with centralized systems used to manage student certification data in educational institutions, such as data security deficiencies and the potential for human error. ZUni resolves these challenges by establishing a decentralized system through blockchain technology, securely issuing, storing, and verifying academic credentials. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.