IBM uses the Stellar blockchain.
Independent PCA can use the Stellar blockchain to register document transactions in a publicly verifiable, decentralised network.
This step is only processed for client report documents if they want to make transactions public. For example, if they want to demonstrate that their process chemistry has been independently verified. To further build trust in their process, product or service.
To show how this is currently done, we have registered the presentation on PCA, ‘General Introduction for Industry’, on a blockchain.
The PDF file of this document is at a shareable link on Google cloud.
However, we don’t have to register the direct URL link to the PDF file. If it were a client report, it could contain confidential information. Obviously, in this case, being a presentation on PCA, it is not a private file.
Instead, we register the digitally signed unique SHA256 checksum (hash code) of the file. The hash code is digitally signed by the unique PGP fingerprint of the founder of PCA, Justin Carnegie-Jones. This verifies the document is the original from PCA.
The PDF file of this document is at a shareable link on Google cloud:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jnhsi93t_VKYJiZ2Azc3_n4-H9SCZV5W/view
Here is the unique SHA256 hash code of this PDF presentation file:
1cbc11638c57c0513631a6e4b7a73b56d5f2dcb902249b9e94b3ab26c1bec97a
Here is the Google cloud link to the hash code digitally signed by PCA:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VbyCb2nxZtrgx2S2ipVVJs5deVDtoP80/view
Finally, here is the live Stellar blockchain widget embedded into this site, showing the details of the transaction on the Stellar blockchain:
Here is the link to the transaction on the Stellar Blockchain: https://stellar.expert/explorer/public/tx/6ce7ce05f0a70cbb96f1c9e54ccca1fa7fb4e58155db78563006b8b5e789fba6
Under the Memo (TEXT) entry you will see the following code: b2nxZtrgx2S2ipVVJs5deVDtoP80
This is the last 28 characters of the Google cloud link to the hash code digitally signed by PCA (see above link). Hence, we have registered the PCA PDF presentation file as a transaction on a publicly verifiable decentralised network.
If you are the client or PCA, you will know that the first five characters of this Google cloud link are 1VbyC. You could then complete the Google cloud address to view the digital signature:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VbyCb2nxZtrgx2S2ipVVJs5deVDtoP80/view
Go to that address and you will find the hash code digitally signed by PCA. To verify the signature, copy (Ctrl C) / paste (Ctrl V) all of the text (including the Begin and End PGP Message lines) into https://keybase.io/verify.
Like magic, it will decode it to show the unique SHA256 hash code of this PDF presentation file: 1cbc11638c57c0513631a6e4b7a73b56d5f2dcb902249b9e94b3ab26c1bec97a
And, in the green box, it says ‘Signed by jcj’. Click the link to jcj to see the unique cryptographic proof for Justin Carnegie-Jones, Founder of PCA.
If this were a PCA report on the process chemistry of a client, it would prove cryptographically that the process chemistry has been independently verified by PCA. Thus building further trust in their process, product or service.
The client might want to use this trust building tool more publicly, by including their company name in the blockchain. If so, we can include the company name of the client in the code in the Memo (TEXT) field of the blockchain transaction.
The contents of the confidential process chemistry report are still hidden from public view. And, the client can promote in their marketing that their process chemistry has been independently verified.
IBM uses the Stellar blockchain. So does independent PCA.