Blockchain-Based Academic Certificate Verification System: A Secure Web Application for Certificate Authentication Using Java, Spring Boot, Ethereum, MetaMask

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, the rapid growth of digital technologies in education has increased the importance of academic certificates for employment, higher studies, and professional validation. However, the issue of fake and forged certificates has become a serious challenge for institutions and organizations. Traditional certificate verification systems are manual, time-consuming, and often lack transparency and security. These systems are also vulnerable to data manipulation and unauthorized access due to centralized storage. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a blockchain-based academic certificate validation system. The system uses blockchain technology to securely store certificate data in the form of cryptographic hash values generated using the SHA-256 algorithm. Since blockchain is decentralized and immutable, once data is stored, it cannot be altered or deleted. The system allows administrators to upload student data and issue results, which are then stored on the blockchain. Each certificate is associated with a unique verification ID and can be validated using QR codes or direct input. The proposed system improves efficiency, enhances data security, and reduces the risk of fraud. The results demonstrate that the system is faster, more reliable, and more secure than traditional methods.