Fortifying Blockchain Security: A Machine Learning Hybrid Consensus Approach

By Samudrapom DamReviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Jan 16 2024

In an article published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers proposed a hybrid consensus algorithm and machine learning-based approach for blockchain security enhancement.

Background

In the blockchain network, the consensus protocols increase operational efficiency and provide high security. The key elements of different consensus algorithms are combined to develop hybrid consensus algorithms. These hybrid algorithms perform better than individual consensus algorithms, improving security by preventing more than half/51% of attacks and double-spending.

However, the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid consensus algorithms must be thoroughly analyzed before implementing them in blockchain networks. Several studies have proposed new consensus protocols that provide better security and scalability and reduce the likelihood of cyber-attacks on the blockchain network. These studies emphasized the need to create new consensus protocols with highly scalable security and the potential to handle substantial volumes of transactions effectively.

The hybrid consensus algorithms combined with machine learning techniques have gained significant attention as they provide enhanced scalability, high performance, and improved security in blockchain networks. In blockchain networks, rule-based, supervised, and unsupervised machine learning methods are crucial to detect and respond to microgrid attacks.

Machine learning methods can also be utilized to resolve behavior and communication-based attacks. Thus, machine learning-based hybrid consensus algorithms can considerably improve security by detecting and preventing major attacks in blockchain networks. However, governance and compliance, energy efficiency, scalability, security, privacy, and confidentiality challenges must be addressed to make the machine learning-based hybrid consensus algorithms more effective.

The machine learning-based approach

In this study, researchers proposed hybrid consensus algorithms that combine machine learning techniques to address the vulnerabilities and challenges in blockchain networks. The objective of the study was to implement a hybrid consensus mechanism with machine learning techniques, which could improve the security of consensus mechanisms and prevent cyberattacks.

A machine learning framework was developed that can effectively perform feature extraction and anomaly and malicious activity detection in the blockchain network. This framework leveraged advanced machine learning algorithms to differentiate normal activities from potential attacks, detect suspicious patterns, and analyze network behavior.

The machine learning framework was then integrated with consensus mechanisms/algorithms to improve the security of the mechanisms. This integration can enable real-time monitoring and implementation of proactive defense approaches against attacks to ensure the stability and integrity of blockchain networks. Thus, the hybrid approaches leveraged and optimized the consensus protocols’ security, trust, and robustness.

Hybrid consensus algorithms, including proof of stake and work (PoSW), delegated byzantine proof of stake (DBPoS), proof of CASBFT (PoCASBFT), and delegated proof of stake work (DPoSW), were explored with different machine learning techniques, including particle swarm optimization (PSO), rule-based, supervised, and unsupervised learning approaches, for security enhancement and intelligent decision making in consensus protocols.

Researchers evaluated the proposed hybrid machine learning approach to determine its effectiveness. The evaluation was primarily focused on security enhancements realized through this approach and performed using the ProximaX blockchain platform.

The methodology

Initially, a module is developed to collect and extract the required information from the ProximaX blockchain network. Then, the feature extraction module processed the data to obtain meaningful features that capture relevant information for consensus.

Subsequently, the machine learning training module utilized different algorithms for training models depending on the extracted features. The anomaly detection module analyzed the incoming data using the trained machine learning models to detect attacks or abnormal behaviors.

All detected attacks/anomalies are evaluated, their impact is assessed, and appropriate actions in response to those attacks/anomalies are determined by the consensus decision-making module to maintain consensus integrity. Eventually, the decisions of the consensus decision-making module are enforced by the consensus enforcement module within the blockchain network.

This iterative process involves constant feedback, where all these processes are repeated to enable the consensus architecture to identify anomalies/attacks, adapt to evolving network conditions, and ensure consensus integrity based on intelligent machine learning decision-making.

Significance of this work

This work demonstrated that the proposed methodology is an energy-efficient mechanism that maintains security and adapts to dynamic conditions. It effectively integrated machine learning approaches, robust consensus mechanisms, and privacy-enhancing features to detect and prevent security threats.

Improved security, real-time detection and response, efficient defense mechanisms, and greater trust were the major advantages achieved through the proposed approach. Increased attack resistance, dynamic threat detection, anomaly detection and prevention, adaptive decision-making, and robust network monitoring were the key security enhancements realized through the proposed solution.

Overall, the proposed machine learning-based hybrid consensus algorithm mitigates the vulnerabilities and challenges in decentralized public networks. However, the practical implementation of these machine learning-based hybrid consensus models had significant challenges, such as scalability, latency, throughput, resource requirements, and potential adversarial attacks. These challenges must be addressed to ensure the successful implementation of the blockchain network for real-world scenarios.