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Chapter 4 A critical review on using blockchain technology in education domain 117

(c) Hypergraph-based partitioning: In conventional BCs, the
ledger details are maintained in all the nodes. When hyper-
graphs are used, a set of nodes form a hyperedge. The ledger
is split and maintained on different hyperedges [36]. So trans-
actions are stored only on certain nodes corresponding to a
hyperedge. Hence, storage space is reduced. When a new
traction comes in, a vector is generated in linear-
independent matrix (LIM). This vector decides the sub-BC/
hyperedge to which the block is to be attached. When a trans-
action occurs, all nodes search for related records in sub-BCs,
and the nodes having the transaction information verify and
inform all other nodes. So all nodes need not take part in veri-
fication process (Fig. 4.9).

7. Security challenges
Major security challenge in blockchain is against quantum
attacks due to Shor’s and Grover’s algorithm. For this, postquan-
tum cryptography approaches can be used. Quantum resistant
approaches such as Merkle hash trees reduce chances of quan-
tum attacks. Public key digital signatures are prone to quantum
attacks due to Shor’s algorithm. This can be prevented using
McElisce system, code-based cryptography, and lattice-based
cryptography approaches such as learning with errors.

8. Conclusion

BC is a disruptive technology that can be used to store and share
information securely in a decentralized and distributed manner.
This technology can be used in e-governance in various domains
such as finance, asset management, Internet of things, health-
care, agriculture, and education. This chapter introduces the
readers to the working of a BC. A detailed discussion on various
consensus mechanisms along with its suitability in education
system is also provided. The advantages and challenges in using
BC-based applications in education are also discussed in this
chapter. The major security vulnerabilities along with how it
can be overcome are also provided in this chapter. Scalability is
a major challenge in using BC technology for university system.
The approaches that can be used to enhance scalability of exist-
ing BCs are also discussed in this chapter. This chapter thus pro-
vides approaches that can be used to enhance existing BCs to
make them more suitable in an education domain.