IBM Launches First High-Security Cloud Blockchain Services

    IBM Cloud-based blockchain services are intended for financial institutions, public sector organizations and the healthcare sector.



    As previously reported, in January of this year, our company opened a blockchain laboratory. The project was launched with the support of a partner, a non-profit organization Innovate Finance. The goal of the project is to study the additional capabilities of blockchain technology using the significant computing and analytical capabilities of the company.

    Now the partners have already moved quite far in the framework of the project, so it was decided to launch the first services based on this technology. It is worth recalling here that blockchain networksbased on the concept of decentralized control, however, some cloud environments remain vulnerable, which allows hacking of information systems and unauthorized access. The IBM team, consisting of information security experts, cryptographers, hardware experts, and researchers, has created a fundamentally new cloud services for cracking-resistant trusted networks based on blockchain technology.

    Services of this type help to create and manage blockchain networks. This is necessary to ensure the reliable operation of a new class of distributed financial applications. Now developers can create digital assets and the corresponding business logic, which will open up the possibility for a more secure and confidential transfer of assets between participants in the blockchain test network with limited and protected access rights. Using the new IBM services available on Bluemix, developers can use fully integrated DevOps tools to create, deploy, launch and monitor blockchain applications on the IBM Cloud. Applications of this type may be deployed on the IBM z Systems, providing an extra layer of security for particularly valuable data. Blockchain applications can access existing transactions on distributed systems and Z Systems computers through the API, thus supporting new types of payment procedures, transactions, procurement and business management.

    Among other features, we also highlight the connection of IoT data to the blockchain. Using the Watson IoT Platform, IBM allows you to use information such as coordinates of device positioning using radio modules, readable barcodes, or data received from devices. In the near future, IoT gadgets will be able to work with distributed blockchain logs to update and view contact data. For example, the location and temperature of the package when using this technology will be automatically recorded and recorded on the blockchain. At the same time, all parties involved in the package will be able to receive an update of its status.

    In order to introduce developers to the new product, our company holds the so-called IBM Garages for blockchain developers. What it is? Ibm garages, one can say, these are service stations that are already open or will soon be implemented in large cities. IBM Global Business Services also plans to extend blockchain advisory services to clients in the financial and banking sectors, plus in the logistics sector. It is also planned to start working with IBM Interactive Experience (IBM iX) in the development of blockchain implementation options in more than 25 IBM studios around the world (IBM Studios).

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    Creating new services, the company pays much attention to the security of both these services and users. “Our customers consider security issues to be one of the factors that slows down the implementation of the blockchain. Today there is a common understanding of the need for operational implementation of blockchain technology at enterprises. At the same time, many organizations need help choosing the perfect cloud environment that will allow them to safely manage blockchain in the cloud, ”said Jerry Cuomo, vice president of IBM Blockchain.

    In this area, the solution to the problem of information security is provided in several ways. They include cloud services that comply with the highest standards in this field (FIPS 140-2 and EAL), which provides blockchain support in the healthcare, public and financial sectors. Recall that we passed about 44,000 lines of code to the Linux Foundation consortium open source project Hyperledger . In addition, the source code is also available on GitHub . This has made it possible to simplify the use of IBM code from the Hyperledger project of the Linux Foundation in any environment. In addition to this, our company offers services based on Bluemix, a cloud platform that helps developers quickly create applications.



    Thanks to the IBM Garage Center in New York, opened in April, the company is actively collaborating with customers such as BNY Mellon to accelerate the design and development of a unique application for securities loans using blockchains for the sale and transfer of assets.

    Choosing a security scheme for the blockchain in the cloud

    IBM Cloud allows enterprises to quickly create a secure, resilient network with thousands of users. The cloud platform will help you create and deploy blockchains in minutes using registered, certified and verified Docker images along with a dashboard, analytics and support.

    New cloud services have been optimized for blockchain-based networks in the cloud, thanks to a verifiable operating environment with comprehensive registration data that meets technical expertise and regulatory requirements. Robust hacking of cryptographic keys and complete security of the cryptographic module allow detecting and responding to unauthorized attempts of physical access. In addition, IBM Cloud services enable blockchain partners to operate in a secure environment that prevents leakage of information from shared storage devices and hardware.

    “Blockchain is an incredibly innovative and promising technology. However, there are still many challenges that enterprises need to solve, ”said Agee Yuki, NTT DATA Director and Executive Vice President. - The new IBM cloud blockchain service is just trying to solve such issues. We believe that it will help accelerate the development of blockchain technology. ”

    IBM Blockchain for Hyperledger Now Available on DockerHub

    For organizations that need the flexibility to run the blockchain environment on different cloud servers or devices, a signed and certified IBM code distribution for the Hyperledger project on DockerHub has become available. Current updates will provide new features such as dashboards, analytic services, online chat support and exclusive network services.

    IBM Blockchain Services for Bluemix Platform Offer Developers More Flexibility

    For application developers who want to instantly launch and run the blockchain environment and start building applications, the IBM Blockchain beta services on the Bluemix platform will provide access to the latest Linux Hyperledger code based on current updates. Regardless of which platform you choose, DockerHub or IBM Cloud, IBM Blockchain supports many usage scenarios for a wide variety of tasks and industries.

    And how to take part in the project?

    Our projects are open to new members! You can find with the latest blockchain technologies within the Consensus Building Blocks Hackathon 2016 hackathon, where developers using the IBM Blockchain services will create innovative applications on the Bluemix platform using IBM Watson, IBM Internet of Things technologies, Weather Channel data and others. Elections, risk management , finance, healthcare, insurance, supply chain and the Internet of things are examples of areas that are already ready for transformation through the introduction of blockchain networks.

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