Privacy-Preserving Distributed Training Architecture for Cyber Forensics using Blockchain and Homomorphic Encryption
TL;DR
By integrating distributed learning, federated learning, homomorphic encryption, and blockchain into a unified framework, the proposed system provides a scalable, secure, and privacy-preserving solution for next-generation cyber forensic intelligence.
Abstract
The rapid growth of cybercrime, ransomware attacks, digital fraud, and large-scale cyber threats has significantly increased the need for secure and collaborative cyber forensic investigations. Traditional machine learning approaches often require organizations to share or centralize sensitive forensic datasets, creating challenges related to privacy, confidentiality, data ownership, and security. To address these limitations, this project proposes a PrivacyPreserving Distributed Training Architecture for Cyber Forensics using Blockchain and Homomorphic Encryption. The proposed framework integrates Federated Learning, Distributed Learning, CKKS-based Homomorphic Encryption, Blockchain Technology, and a Secure Model Exchange Space to enable multiple agencies to collaboratively train machine learning models without exposing their raw forensic data. Federated Learning allows organizations to train models locally and securely aggregate encrypted model updates, while Distributed Learning enables encrypted dataset partitions to be processed collaboratively by helper nodes without revealing the original data. CKKS Homomorphic Encryption protects sensitive information during computation, and blockchain technology provides decentralized trust through secure node authentication, transparent validation, immutable audit trails, and trusted model exchange among participating agencies. The framework is implemented using Python, Flask, Scikit-learn, TenSEAL, Ganache, Solidity, and Web3.py, providing a web-based platform for collaborative project management, encrypted training, blockchain monitoring, secure model sharing, performance evaluation, and cyber forensic prediction. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed architecture successfully supports secure collaborative learning, encrypted computation, blockchain-based validation, and trusted model sharing while maintaining effective prediction performance. By integrating distributed learning, federated learning, homomorphic encryption, and blockchain into a unified framework, the proposed system provides a scalable, secure, and privacy-preserving solution for next-generation cyber forensic intelligence, enabling organizations to collaboratively strengthen cybersecurity without compromising the privacy, confidentiality, or ownership of sensitive forensic data