Decentralized Evidence Custody: Leveraging Ethereum and IPFS for Digital Integrity

Abstract

Information is crucial in every area of activity in the contemporary digital era. Safe processing and storage of data are required, especially for software handling sensitive information. Because electronic data can be manipulated, it must be protected from unauthorized alterations. Organizations are always exposed to cyberattacks where malicious actors attempt to alter crucial information. Because preservation of the digital evidence as original and its source is still very important in an investigation, such an event is very alarming. Because every data breach case has a likely impact on the legal process, evidence preservation and maintaining watch at every point of existence becomes very vital. The custody of evidence relies on reports passing through several middlemen, i.e., pathology labs, physicians, and police. One healthy method of obtaining security, immutability, and transparency in the process is with the help of blockchain technology. Blockchain makes the transfer of evidence possible and traceable securely without relying on a single central entity by decentralizing data management. In this paper, we suggest an Ethereum blockchain-based system for evidence management with the help of Ethereum. Through use of IPFS in decentralized storage, the system optimizes security through secure storage of evidence and reports with simplicity of access. Additionally, interoperability between agencies without sacrificing security levels guarantees smooth transmission of data. The proposed solution effectively protects against tampering and guarantees evidence as credible in the course of the investigation process due to the high integrity, traceability, and immutability capabilities of blockchain.