Secure Reviewing and Data Sharing in Scientific Collaboration: Leveraging Blockchain and Zero Trust Architecture

The current publishing landscape grapples with opacity in the review process. In response, a proposal for a blockchain-driven system is put forth to establish transparent and auditable records for evaluations. However, despite its decentralized nature, concerns persist regarding confidentiality and secure data sharing, crucial for fostering future collaborations. To address these challenges, this study advocates for the implementation of an access control mechanism (ACM) to safeguard confidentiality. Under this mechanism, only the assigned reviewer would have access to the confidential manuscript, ensuring the integrity of the review process. In scientific collaborations, the imperative for confidential data sharing extends beyond reproducibility to encompass vital collaborative endeavors such as publications, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), grants, and funding. While hierarchical ACM may prove insufficient in defending confidential data, a more nuanced approach is proposed, leveraging a fine-grained access control model that considers contextual opinions, embodied in the concept of Zero Trust Architecture. Additionally, an incentivization mechanism based on author feedback is proposed to bolster reviewer engagement and credibility. In summary, this study aims to tackle trust and confidentiality concerns within the review system, facilitating secure data sharing for future collaborations while enhancing the credibility of reviewers. By advocating for a transition towards decentralized scientific collaboration and review processes, this work underscores the importance of integrating confidential review and data sharing practices, thereby fortifying the scholarly ecosystem.