IBM today unveiled a new service designed to help businesses test and run blockchain projects meant to handle private or sensitive data.
Dubbed the IBM 'secure blockchain cloud environment', the service is actually an integration of IBM’s existing blockchain cloud offering and IBM LinuxONE, a Linux server designed to protect against 'back doors' the company argues could occur in other cloud-based blockchain networks.
Overall, the company positioned the offering as one that seeks to improve the security of private, enterprise blockchain projects running in cloud environments by securing entry points and fighting against insider threats.
Recently elected IBM Fellow Donna Dillenberger explained how the cloud environment, when tapped into the IBM LinuxOne server, might help protect valuable data tracked by companies on a blockchain.
"The cloud is made up of a special hardware that protects the blockchain from hacks, from people who have unethically compromised root users or system administrator credentials."
Using the security network, blockchain software applications built on IBM Blockchain are signed, encrypted and attested so that malware can't install itself or client applications.
Currently in limited beta, the product, the company said, is designed to provide a safe platform for companies to test the performance of proofs-of-concept and final products.
Additional features of the security network also include provisions intended to help meet security requirements of the financial, healthcare and government sectors and meet compliance requirements
Further read:
http://www.coindesk.com/ibm-launches-new-blockchain-security-network-diamond-startup-first-client/