Binding the Physical and Cyber Worlds: A Blockchain Approach for Cargo Supply Chain Security Enhancement

Lei Xu, Lin Chen, Zhimin Gao, Yanling Chang, Eleftherios Iakovou, Weidong Shi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Maritime transportation plays a critical role for the U.S. and global economies, and has evolved into a complex system that involves a plethora of supply chain stakeholders spread around the globe. The inherent complexity brings huge security challenges including cargo loss and high burdens in cargo inspection against illicit activities and potential terrorist attacks. The emerging blockchain technology provides a promising tool to build a unified maritime cargo tracking system critical for cargo security. However, most existing efforts focus on transportation data itself, while ignoring how to bind the physical cargo movements and information managed by the system consistently. This can severely undermine the effectiveness of securing cargo transportation. To fulfill this gap, we propose a binding scheme leveraging a novel digital identity management mechanism. The digital identity management mechanism maps the best practice in the physical world to the cyber world and can be seamlessly integrated with a blockchain-based cargo management system.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2018 IEEE International Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security, HST 2018
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781538634431
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 12 2018
Event2018 IEEE International Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security, HST 2018 - Woburn, United States
Duration: Oct 23 2018Oct 24 2018

Publication series

Name2018 IEEE International Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security, HST 2018

Conference

Conference2018 IEEE International Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security, HST 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWoburn
Period10/23/1810/24/18

Keywords

  • Blockchain
  • Security
  • Supply chain management

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