Cisco Blockchain Framework – Build trust-based business networks for digital transformation

The Cisco blockchain framework details the necessary elements for a simple, secure, scalable enterprise-grade blockchain that is based on Cisco’s proprietary technology. Cisco blockchain framework is composed of the following reference groups: Platform, Interfaces, Infrastructure and network and Security and analytics.

Content Summary

Platform
Interfaces
Infrastructure and network
Security and analytics
Building an ecosystem for industry solutions
Unlocking value through interoperability
Conclusion

Platform overview

Cisco is building a blockchain platform, defined by a composable platform architecture that enables specific implementations to meet desired use-case requirements across different industries. Composability enables services to be upgraded over time, with new features introduced as blockchain technologies advance. Taking advantage of modern microservice design patterns, the platform architecture helps future-proof an enterprise’s investment in blockchain. The platform core consists of multiple layers, each including multiple subservices, with many customizable using pluggable interfaces.

Communications layer and distributed ledger
A set of services that enable blockchain nodes to communicate with each other and maintain consensus with respect to the ledger state.

Smart contracts
A pluggable smart contract engine, executed in a secure environment that supports familiar developer languages such as JavaScript, GoLang, and Python.

Identity and policy
An identity and policy layer that is responsible for tasks such as authentication, authorization, and identity management.

Orchestration
An orchestration layer that ties all the other service levels together as part of a “service mesh.” Enterprises can use their tool of choice, such as Kubernetes, Rancher, and Docker swarm. The orchestration layer facilitates tasks such as adding and removing nodes, made simple
via the administrator portal.

Interfaces

When evaluating any new enterprise blockchain technology, it is important to consider the ease of deploying and managing the network, developing applications with best-in-class tools, and integration with existing enterprise systems. Cisco blockchain framework includes interfaces that expose the necessary functionality to perform these objectives, enhancing overall ease of use.

Platform interface
The native platform interface is composed of a software developer kit (SDK) with flexible APIs, as well as an administrator portal that exposes important SDK functionality via an intuitive graphical user interface.

Middleware and connectors
To further simplify ease of use and accelerate enterprise adoption, the blockchain platform architecture defines a middleware and connector interface that integrates with existing centralized enterprise systems as well as other blockchain networks. This is achieved via a library of native and third-party application connectors and middleware, made available via a developer marketplace.

Infrastructure and network

Cisco hardware-independent blockchain framework defines a set of standards to address infrastructure-level security risks, including reference architectures to deploy on the premises: in an enterprise’s demilitarized zone (DMZ), in the cloud, or via a hybrid deployment. Furthermore, the platform provides flexible support for a choice of infrastructure technologies, including hardware security modules (HSMs) and WAN optimization tools such as software-defined WAN.

Security and analytics

A common misconception is that the distributed nature of blockchains makes them inherently secure. However, without the correct design measures, they can be prone to multiple threats, including:

• Distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) and Sybil attacks
• Attempted collusion between blockchain nodes: the private blockchain equivalent of a 51 percent attack
• Exploiting vulnerabilities in smart contracts, including reentrancy attacks
• Routing attacks
• Side-channel attacks at the infrastructure layer
• Replay attacks

Cisco blockchain framework is completed with end-to-end security and analytics, spanning the infrastructure layer through to the interface layer. Additional protection is also provided by a blockchain application firewall, or BAF. The BAF is analogous to a web application firewall (WAF), which detects and protects against various attack vectors by inspecting for unusual patterns using analytics. For example, a BAF might detect unusual traffic from an agent that could represent an attempted DDoS attack.

Analytics also measure the performance of the blockchain network to provide enterprise SLAs and service assurance. Cisco’s leadership in network security and application analytics is helping redefine security and analytics for enterprise blockchain.

Building an ecosystem for industry solutions

In addition to robust platform standards, organizations are looking to partners to build industry-specific solutions for large-scale adoption. As companies explore enterprise solutions and industry use cases, they will need experienced partners, including:

• Cloud Service Providers: Hybrid deployments will dominate the enterprise blockchain space. Major cloud providers are already offering or about to announce blockchain tools and templates. We expect more blockchain offerings as cloud providers rush to capture the momentum.
• System Integrators: Integrating with an organization’s legacy systems requires professional expertise. Systems integrators will be essential partners for building enterprise blockchain solutions and will work closely with app developers as they create new tools.
• Industry Specialists: SMEs and industry consultants can focus deeply on specific industry requirements, assist with business case and ROI calculations, and make sure of compliance to industry regulations for each specific deployment.

Cisco is building an ecosystem to support blockchain adoption that brings together service providers, ISVs, and startups, as well as key consulting partners to create end-to-end industry solutions for the enterprise. This comprehensive approach to innovation is one that will future-proof our customers and partners while fully harnessing the possibilities of this radical new technology.

Unlocking value through interoperability

Each blockchain network represents a unique value chain, such as a manufacturing supply chain, a consortium of companies with interconnected IoT devices, or even a smart city. As blockchain networks grow and expand, these discrete networks will increasingly need to interact with one another. This close interaction will require new interoperability standards and protocols, as well as security toolkits to help secure these discrete blockchain bridges.

A primary focus of Cisco’s blockchain effort is around creating a common data model for digitized physical assets that can be deployed on any existing blockchain network, including well-known platforms in the Hyperledger project and Enterprise Ethereum.

For example, Cisco envisions the ability for an asset to be digitized on one blockchain network type and transferred to others, while maintaining a cryptographically secure record of ownership or custody. Figure 10 shows how this capability could be used to track the import and export of goods.

To deliver a true Internet-scale trust network that is interoperable, Cisco is working with a number of industry and ecosystem partners to develop standards and tools for blockchain technology to reach its full potential in the enterprise.

Trusted IoT alliance
Cisco is leading industry adoption efforts through the Trusted IoT Alliance, which is platform independent and focuses specifically on developing an interoperability framework for digitized physical assets and their smart contract libraries that live on blockchain networks. The Alliance is also focused on addressing challenges around scale and performance, through the launch of the first-of-its-kind test net for blockchain, enabling engineers to access a global open-source test environment for the development of blockchain solutions.

Hyperledger project
Hyperledger is an open-source umbrella project for multiple enterprise blockchain platforms and associated technology. Cisco is a founding member of the Hyperledger project; chairs the architecture working group; and participates in the organization’s identity, marketing, and use-case working groups.

Enterprise Ethereum Alliance
Cisco officially joined the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA) in July 2017 to partner with industry leaders in developing open industry standards for enterprises looking to address issues around scalability, privacy, and confidentiality on the Ethereum blockchain.

Digital Chamber of Commerce
Cisco is an Executive Committee member of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, the world’s leading trade association representing the digital asset and blockchain industry. Cisco and the Chamber are spearheading efforts to promote the acceptance of digital assets and blockchain-based technologies through education, advocacy, and collaboration with policymakers and regulatory agencies.

Conclusion

Blockchain has the potential to change the rules by automating trust, increasing transparency, and simplifying business processes. However, to unleash its full potential, it needs to be based on an established set of standards that meets the complex needs of the enterprise. In addition, today’s organizations are seeking industry specific solutions to transform their business processes and need the ability to build blockchain networks that are interoperable.

Cisco is building a comprehensive foundation for enterprise blockchain technology that brings together our strengths in high-availability distributed systems architecture as well as best-in-class capabilities around security, identity, and cryptography. To accelerate enterprise adoption, we’re also bringing together a world-class ecosystem of partners and alliances to deliver a true Internet-scale trust network.

Source: Blockchain by Cisco – Build trust-based business networks for digital transformation