The security of your data is one of the key aspects of the cybersecurity in general. However, it seems like the question gained the attention with the current news in the world of cryptocurrencies. Many people still can’t get a grip on how this new currency world works and most importantly, who guarantees the safety of transactions.
One of the cornerstones of bitcoin is a blockchain, a specialized data storage that keeps the records of all the transactions ever made within the network of users. In case you were wondering how a blockchain works and what’s the difference between a blockchain and database, here’s our view on the matter.
Blockchain: more than a database?
The fundamental distinction between a blockchain and database is in the architecture. While the database is designed to rely on the structure of a user, blockchain favors a decentralized approach to data sharing.
When a user of the World Wide Web wants to share a file with another person on the same web, they are creating a channel on the server to be able to share, download, and change the file. Every time you send a file or upload a file or manipulate the data in some other way, the information is going through a server controlled by the provider. That means you need an authorization that comes with your account to be able to manipulate your data. In other words, you depend on someone else’s permission, which means that you can easily be in a position to lose your data because you’re not in control of them.
On the other hand, a blockchain technology is using a decentralized control to enable the users on the same network to share data. Whenever someone sends you bitcoins, for example, other users in the system knows that the transaction has been made. That keeps the network open and the process transparent. Although you might think that the security of your data is compromised in the course of using blockchain technology, the fact is that the security level is much higher than in the regular data sharing.
The main difference
Both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages, but in regards to the safety of the data exchange process, blockchain is a better option. With the decentralized control, you have the same level of authority as anybody else in the network which is a huge difference compared to the database. You’re no longer dependent on an administrator who controls the access to the files. Instead, you have an equal treatment as anyone who is using the same network.…