Nuclear weapons are a trust issue
Could blockchain systems help phase out nuclear weapons?
Countries negotiating mutual arms reductions rarely trust each other to keep their commitments, so they often include “verification” mechanisms in agreements, like on-site inspections or remote monitoring.
The data from these activities is highly sensitive, and the ability to conclude future agreements may depend on having confidence in shared data about previous reductions.
The cryptographic structure of blockchains enables ‘targeted transparency’ and strong verifiability in data management. By helping prevent data tampering, blockchains could increase confidence in the security of shared data, without revealing sensitive information.
This research report looks at how blockchains could be used to help manage data from nuclear arms control and disarmament processes, with the aims of increasing confidence in the integrity and veracity of the data, and boosting trust in the overall process.
Image: Part of the cryptographic data structure of a blockchain, known as ‘hashing’, helps prevent data tampering, increasing confidence in the security and integrity of shared data.