The UK’s Government Official Archive Is Testing Blockchain

The National Archives (TNA), official record keeping of the UK government is examining the usage of blockchain for record sharing. The project, named Archangel, is being driven by the University of Surrey and includes partners like the Open Data Institute. Among different objectives, the activity will investigate the degree to which blockchain can deliver frequently asked questions related to archive management.

“How can we demonstrate that the record you see today is the same record that was entrusted to the archive 20 years previously? How do we ensure that citizens continue to see archives as trusted custodians of the digital public record? To address these questions, Archangel is exploring how we can know that a digital record has been modified and whether the change was legitimate so that ultimately it can still be trusted as the authentic record. ” Noted Alex Green, the Archives’ digital preservation services manager.

He added saying, “Specifically, the project is investigating how blockchain might be used to achieve this,” Green added.

As one of the world’s biggest and most seasoned files, The Archives is a pioneer in setting benchmarks and best practices in the field. Accordingly, the venture expects to “deliver vertical impact to specific sectors within the Archives and Memory Institutions (AMIs) landscape, driven by end-user partner The National Archives.”

ARCHANGEL has proposed a time period of 18 months. It is set to model a disseminated record innovation (DLT) benefit that will “collect robust digital signatures derived from digitalized physical, and born-digital content,” as indicated by Green.

The research is receiving financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, which contributes more than £800 million in a year in fields, such as, arithmetic, materials science, and data innovation.