RMT: A Lightweight Encryption Algorithm For Blockchain-Based Certificate Verification

As blockchain technology continues to reshape various industries, the importance of ensuring the secure and tamper-resistant verification of academic credentials has become increasingly significant. This research introduces a tailored encryption algorithm specifically designed to enhance the security of academic credential verification within a blockchain-based system, all the while maintaining the system's computational efficiency due to its lightweight characteristics. The algorithm operates asynchronously through JavaScript and integrates techniques like file manipulation, key-based XOR operations, and decentralized cloud storage to ensure immutable record-keeping. The encryption procedure relies on bitwise XOR operations between the academic certificate and the encryption key, ensuring a high level of security. The encrypted certificate is then stored in the cloud, and a unique CID (Content Identifier) is retrieved from the cloud and recorded on the blockchain for verification purposes. This study highlights the lightweight nature of the encryption method, emphasizing its minimal impact on computational resources, quick processing times, and low resource requirements. The proposed algorithm holds the potential to enhance the trust and effectiveness of academic institutions, employers, and other stake-holders, thereby influencing the future of credential verification in a rapidly evolving digital environment.