IBM has launched a new blockchain service based on Hyperledger Fabric. According to the company, the IBM blockchain enables developers to quickly build and host security-rich production blockchain networks on the IBM Cloud.
According to the Hyperledger website, Hyperledger Fabric is:
“...an implementation of blockchain technology that is intended as a foundation for developing blockchain applications of solutions. It offers a modular architecture allowing components, such as consensus and membership services, to be plug-and-play. It leverages container technology to host smart contracts called “chaincode” that comprise the application logic of the system.”
By running IBM blockchain, the tech giant promises the following security features:
- Protection from insider attacks – helps safeguard entry points on the network and fight insider threats from anyone with system administrator credentials.
- The industry’s highest certified level of isolation for a commercial system – Evaluation Assurance Level certification of EAL5+ is critical in highly regulated industries such as government, financial services, and healthcare, to prevent the leakage of information from one party’s environment to another.
- Secure Service Containers – to help protect code throughout the blockchain application – effectively encapsulating the blockchain into a virtual appliance, denying access even to privileged users.
- Tamper-responsive hardware security modules – to protect encrypted data for storage of cryptographic keys. These modules are certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 4, the highest level of security certification available for cryptographic modules.
- A highly auditable operating environment – comprehensive log data supports forensics, audit and compliance.
One of the companies putting IBM blockchain to use this year will be Energy-Blockchain Labs. The company will focus on helping other companies develop and trade carbon allowances as China opens up its cap-and-trade programme later this year.
IBM Blockchain for Hyperledger Fabric v1.0 is now available through a beta program on IBM Bluemix. Hyperledger Fabric is also available on Docker Hub as an IBM-certified image available for download at no cost.
Source: IBM via Ars Technica| Image via InsideBitcoins
