Decentralized Access Control Using Blockchain and Smart Contracts for Enhanced Cybersecurity

Abstract

With the exponential growth of digital systems, traditional centralized access control mechanisms such as RoleBased Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) face significant challenges, including single points of failure, scalability limitations, and vulnerabilities to insider threats. These issues compromise the security, transparency, and auditability of access policies. This article explores the integration of blockchain technology with access control frameworks to mitigate these vulnerabilities. By leveraging decentralized ledgers and smart contracts, blockchain enhances transparency, tamperresistance, and traceability in policy enforcement and auditing processes. The study compares RBAC and ABAC implementations within blockchain environments, highlighting improvements in granularity, interoperability, and resilience. Through architecture models, smart contract code, and performance discussion, we demonstrate the potential of blockchain in enhancing access control security, transparency, and trustworthiness.