GOvNet: a Blockchain Overlay Network for Governments and Privacy-Oriented Applications
Luigi Lunardon, Alessio Pagani · 2024
In recent years, sovereign governments, public bodies, and enterprises have demonstrated significant interest in blockchain technology, exploring various solutions for its adoption. These entities are attracted by blockchain's unique features, such as data immutability, time-stamping, and auditability. However, other blockchain core characteristics, like transparency and decentralization, are often perceived as limitations. In an attempt to mitigate these obstacles, private blockchains have gained traction, yet they often come with unjustified costs and additional architectural complexities. This work introduces GOvNet, a blockchain-agnostic hybrid solution integrating the privacy features of proprietary databases and servers with the robustness and resilience of public blockchain networks. GOvNet operates as a private network, but publishes cryptographic fingerprints of its data on a public blockchain. By storing exclusively these fingerprints on the blockchain, GOvNet ensures the confidentiality of all information circulating within the network. Conceived as a service for document generation and verification, GOvNet is capable of supporting a range of services beyond its original design. GOvNet's functionalities rely on lightweight processes, allowing for integration within users' personal devices such as personal laptops and mobile phones.