Trust-Centric Blockchain Framework: A Three-Layered Architecture for Securing Open and Private Systems

Abstract

Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, posing significant risks to both open and private architectures. Open architectures, such as open-source ecosystems, collaborative platforms, and information-sharing frameworks, thrive on transparency and accessibility but face challenges in maintaining trust, data integrity, and security. Conversely, private architectures, while operating within controlled environments, are not immune to internal threats or compromised trust mechanisms. Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative solution to address these challenges by leveraging decentralization, immutability, and transparency. This paper introduces a dual Blockchain-based trust framework tailored to the unique needs of both open and private architectures. For open systems, the framework enhances trust and security through transparent trust modeling, Blockchain-based validation, and tamper-proof accountability mechanisms. For private systems, it strengthens internal trust evaluation and mitigates risks by securing interactions in a closed, permissioned environment. The proposed solution integrates three layers-trust modeling, Blockchain-enabled validation, and adaptive penalty mechanisms-to ensure robust security and participant accountability. Extensive simulations and security validations demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach across diverse open and private architecture scenarios, providing a comprehensive strategy to mitigate threats and reinforce trust in these critical ecosystems.