Blockchain-Enabled Multi-Layer Security Model for Cloud Data Protection

Abstract

Cloud computing offers scalable and flexible data storage and processing capabilities but also presents significant security and privacy challenges. Protecting sensitive data in the cloud from unauthorized access, tampering, and data breaches is critical, especially as cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated. This study proposes a blockchain-enabled multi-layer security model designed to enhance cloud data protection. The model integrates blockchain technology with traditional security mechanisms, including encryption, access control, and anomaly detection, to provide a decentralized, transparent, and tamper-resistant framework for safeguarding cloud data.

The multi-layer architecture comprises a data encryption layer to secure data at rest and in transit, an access control layer based on smart contracts and identity management, and a blockchain ledger layer for immutable logging of access and transaction records. By leveraging blockchain’s decentralized consensus and cryptographic features, the model ensures data integrity, traceability, and accountability without relying on a centralized trusted authority.

Using simulations on a cloud environment integrated with Ethereum blockchain, the model was evaluated for performance, security, and scalability. The results demonstrate that the hybrid approach significantly reduces risks of unauthorized data manipulation and insider threats while maintaining acceptable system latency and throughput. Moreover, the model’s design supports dynamic policy enforcement and real-time monitoring through smart contracts, enabling automatic detection and mitigation of suspicious activities.

This research contributes to the field by addressing the limitations of conventional cloud security models and harnessing blockchain’s capabilities to offer a robust, scalable, and transparent multi-layered security solution. The approach holds promise for sectors requiring high data confidentiality and regulatory compliance, such as healthcare, finance, and government cloud services.