IBM applies for Two new Blockchain Patents. One for Security and the other for Database Management

As per the news confirmed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, IBM, the Multinational computing giant, has applied for two new blockchain patents thereby adding to its already existing list of patents with two more. The news was confirmed by the publishing document released by the United States Patent and Trademark Office

According to one of the patent document, IBM is now looking at tapping the area of network security using blockchain technology. Whereas the second patent concentrates on database management utilizing the technology.

The description of the first blockchain patent explains “The present invention generally relates to the field of computing, and more particularly to secured event monitoring.

On a computer system or network, data may be monitored for many different purposes. Data monitoring may identify problems, observe conditions or track metrics by logging the events of a given computer system or network. Securing a data log using monitor security protocols may be accomplished with different levels of security, ranging from low security to high security, and have various combinations of hardware and software configurations. Low security may allow open access to the event logs while high security may significantly restrict access to the event logs. Protecting the monitored system from hackers gaining access to alter the event logs may require a new type of security configuration. “

Further giving a summary the document states that “Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer system, and a computer program product for a monitor security process. The present invention may include configuring a plurality of monitors in a chain configuration. The present invention may also include configuring a sensor to communicate with the plurality of monitors. The present invention may then include receiving, by a primary monitor, a first set of information from the sensor based on an event. The present invention may further include receiving, by a backup monitor, the first set of information from the sensor based on an event. The present invention may also include broadcasting the received first set of information from the primary monitor and the backup monitor to the plurality of monitors. The present invention may then include logging the received first set of information in a plurality of temporary logs associated with the plurality of monitors. The present invention may further include receiving a second set of information from a monitor within the plurality of monitors. The present invention may also include determining that the received first set of information does not match the received second set of information. The present invention may then include marking at least one temporary log within the plurality of temporary logs as a conflicting entry based on determining that the received first set of information does not match the received second set of information. The present invention may further include determining that a number of conflicting entries in the plurality of temporary logs has exceeded a predefined threshold based on marking at least one temporary log within the plurality of temporary logs as a conflicting entry. The present invention may also include generating an audit and recovery plan based on determining that the number of conflicting entries in the plurality of temporary logs has exceeded the predefined threshold. The present invention may then include implementing a quarantine of an affected monitor based on the generated audit and recovery plan.”

IBM believes that the second patent would benefit in streamlining the so-called database management systems (DBMSs that currently inefficient due to their bulk.

The description of the second blockchain patent explains “This disclosure relates generally to database management systems and, more particularly, relates to managing a database management system using a blockchain database. Databases are used to store information for numerous types of applications. Examples include various industrial, commercial, technical, scientific, and educational applications. Database management systems (DBMSs) are a typical mechanism for accessing data stored in a database. DBMSs are typically configured to separate the process of storing data from accessing, manipulating, or using data stored in a database. DBMSs often require tremendous resources to handle the heavy workloads placed on such systems. As such, it may be useful to manage a DBMS using a blockchain database.”

The summary of the second patent states that “Aspects of the disclosure relate to managing a database management system (DBMS). A blockchain database may be used to provide an incorruptible database tampering detection system (IDT-DS) to detect tampering with respect to a set of data stored in a central database linked with the blockchain database. A partial copy of a set of data maintained in the central database may be stored in the blockchain database. In response to a portion of the set of data being modified within the central database, the changes may be synced to update the corresponding data within the blockchain database. The IDT-DS may be configured to monitor the set of data stored on the central database with respect to the partial copy stored on the blockchain database for inconsistencies. In response to detecting an inconsistency, the IDT-DS may log the inconsistency in the blockchain to notify an authorized user of the inconsistency.

Disclosed aspects relate to managing a database management system (DBMS). A central database to include a set of central data may be structured with respect to the DBMS. A blockchain database which is linked with the central database may be constructed with respect to the DBMS. A set of blockchain data may be established in the blockchain database corresponding to the set of central data of the central database. An access request may be received with respect to the DBMS. In response to receiving the access request, both the central database and the blockchain database may be maintained.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure”

IBM has been actively involved in rolling out various enterprise blockchain solutions in the past several years, primarily under its IBM Blockchain project