A blockchain-driven forensic framework for secure cyberbullying evidence collection in IoT environments

Abstract

The widespread problem of cyberbullying in today’s digital environment is made worse by the quick spread of IoT devices and the difficulties in organizing and protecting digital evidence. Traditional forensic methods are often inadequate due to their inability to provide a tamper-proof chain-of-custody and their limited scalability under high data loads. To overcome these constraints, our work makes use of innovative technologies such as a permissioned blockchain (Hyperledger Fabric), powerful encryption methods (AES-256 and RSA), and decentralized off-chain storage (IPFS). We propose an integrated, blockchain-driven forensic evidence collection framework that ensures secure, real-time evidence acquisition from diverse IoT devices, automated validation via smart contracts, and efficient, Role-Based Access Control for evidence retrieval. A hybrid consensus mechanism, combining elements of PBFT and Proof-of-Stake, enhances the system’s security and scalability while reducing processing latency and energy consumption. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach achieves high throughput and low latency, making it a strong and reliable solution for forensic investigations in cyberbullying cases. Within our experimental scope, the framework strengthens the integrity and authenticity of digital evidence and addresses key regulatory considerations, though real-world validation remains future work.