Academic Certification using Blockchain: Permissioned versus Permissionless Solutions

Abstract

Understanding the challenges of implementing blockchain solutions is an important step toward scaling and adopting the technology. This paper analyses the adoption of blockchain technology in the management of academic certificates. In this use case, we identify certification providers that have adopted a permissionless approach and consortiums of academic institutions that are in the process of building permissioned networks. We explore the challenges faced by both approaches and obtain information from competing projects to provide a preliminary approach for cost-benefit analysis that could potentially be applied for similar blockchain projects. For the management of academic certificates, we find that beyond the cost of implementing the technology there are additional elements of critical importance for adoption. For example, if blockchain-enabled certificates will replace notarized documents, how do they complement other forms of digital credentials, the ease of integration to existing administrative records within institutions and if they are a viable first step toward a more comprehensive, efficient and reliable systems to share information among institutions.