Blockchain-based verifiable data deletion and software management for cloud storage

Abstract

With the growing demand for data storage, cloud storage has become prevalent but has introduced significant security challenges, particularly in data deletion. Malicious cloud servers may fail to execute deletions properly, posing risks to data security and software updates. This paper proposes a blockchain-based verifiable data deletion scheme, leveraging blockchain to record deletion evidence and ensure transparency. The scheme enables mutual authentication between data owners and cloud servers through smart contracts. Upon successful authentication, the server deletes the data, generates deletion evidence organized via a Merkle tree, and stores it on the blockchain. The data owner can verify the deletion by comparing the server's evidence with blockchain-stored hashes. Simulations and security analyses on Ethereum demonstrate the scheme's ability to ensure each deletion operation without relying on trusted third parties, offering safety and traceability. Experimental results highlight its efficiency and practicality, making it decentralized. Meanwhile, it is of meaningful significance to improve the royal of the cloud storage services and the reliability of node management of multi-branch software.