What role can blockchain-based digital identities play to counteract (cyber)crime in relation to assessment results and credentials in the educational sector? A glimpse into the future

Abstract

The forgery and fraudulent behaviour associated with examination results and academic certificates at the different stages from storing, publishing, transfer to verification, remain a major cybercrime issue within the educational sector. In this paper, the authors discuss the technological dimension underpinning such issues and propose a system consisting of digital ID verification structures, which ensure and confirm individual access via decentralized storage like Blockchain systems, in order to minimise fraudulent activities. Based on extensive desk research and a case study (using a demonstrator) which was presented and discussed with a focus group, comprising of stakeholders with a good understanding on the topic of Blockchain technologies and digital IDs, the authors discuss how the publication, storage and transfer of educational and academic achievements may potentially be transformed due to the adoption of Blockchain technologies, especially through digital ID verification. In particular, the authors identify issues pertaining to the setting up of the chain of trust, recognition of digital IDs, non-technical expertise, costs, human interventions and cybersecurity as crucial for the successful consideration and implementation of Blockchain-based digital IDs and as areas for future work in counteracting cybercrime with regard to assessment results and credentials in the educational sector.