Use of blockchain technology in secure document management systems

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of blockchain technology in secure document management systems to address integrity and trust limitations of centralized models. A hybrid Secure Document Management System (SDMS) architecture is proposed, where document content is stored off-chain in encrypted form, while blockchain is used as an evidence layer to record hashes, metadata, timestamps, and digital signatures. The system introduces a document state chain that ensures tamper detection through cryptographic linkage of document versions. A permissioned blockchain based on Hyperledger Besu with the QBFT consensus algorithm is applied to support secure and controlled participation. Experimental results demonstrate 100% detection of retrospective modifications, linear verification scalability, and zero false positives. Compared to traditional systems, the proposed approach significantly improves data integrity, transparency, and auditability. The findings confirm that blockchain enables a shift from organizational to cryptographic trust, making the solution suitable for critical and multi-party environments.