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Discussion-1 150 words with one reference

The Popularity of Blockchain

Blockchain is described as a technique that facilitates security and transparency through holding transactional records. In simple terms, blockchain can be understood as a chain stored in blocks where there is no single authority to control the process. Blockchain technology has made it easier to solve problems hence improving efficiency and accuracy because a person owns his/her data; thus they can control their information (Zheng et al., 2017). The security features associated with blockchain has attracted more business to adopt the technology as a way to enhance value creation and authenticate information in the organization.

The blockchain technology has gained popularity following its capacity to allow its users to create value in digital information. Various features associate with blockchain has also facilitated its faster gain of popularity today (Agbo, Mahmoud & Eklund, 2019). For example, blockchain is decentralized thus does not require approvals from any regulatory bodies because its verification originates from the agreement of users. Moreover, the popularity of blockchain is due to its ability to improve security. Blockchain involves a set of blocks encrypted; thus, it becomes challenging to interfere with the stored data without tempering with all blocks in the chain. 

Furthermore, blockchain’s popularity also comes from its ability to fast processing in a transaction. Blockchain technology eliminates third-party and other intermediaries in all its transaction, and thus the speed to process transaction improves hence saves time. Another reason for blockchain popularity is because it is cryptographically secure. Blockchain is safe because it employs the use of a digital signature when creating transactions, thus reducing fraud cases (Cash & Bassiouni,2018). Lastly, blockchain brings automation; thus, it is programmable to trigger various actions such as payments and events; hence it's widely used. Therefore, with the advantages associated with blockchain, business and organizations are adopting the technology to help them enhance efficiency and transparency in its operations.

References

Agbo, C. C., Mahmoud, Q. H., & Eklund, J. M. (2019, June). Blockchain technology in healthcare: a systematic review. In Healthcare (Vol. 7, No. 2, p. 56). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.

Cash, M., & Bassiouni, M. (2018, September). Two-tier permission-ed and permission-less blockchain for secure data sharing. In 2018 IEEE International Conference on Smart Cloud (SmartCloud) (pp. 138-144). IEEE.

Zheng, Z., Xie, S., Dai, H., Chen, X., & Wang, H. (2017, June). An overview of blockchain technology: Architecture, consensus, and future trends. In 2017 IEEE international congress on big data (BigData Congress) (pp. 557-564). IEEE.

 

Discussion-2 150 words with one reference

The technology used by Blockchain is often linked with the rise of cryptocurrencies. According to Macauley (2019), the top three most popular cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP). In this regard, Blockchain is a database, keeping records of transactions. The transactions are verified, maintained, and distributed by a worldwide network of computers. In this regard, there is no single authority or individual having control over it. Instead, a massive online community monitors the transactions, such that it is impossible to erase or alter the transaction history (Sarmar, 2018). 

Why does Blockchain cause so much confusion?

As the world tries to understand Blockchain technology, a lot of reports and articles have been written and can be accessed online in the form of white papers. Unfortunately, none have been peer-reviewed. These white papers form the basis for most of the scholarly information that exists. Secondly, even though the fundamental principles of the working of Blockchain are the same, no single set of specification exists. There is a significant difference in the systems that operate on Blockchain. Some systems even claim to be Blockchain, and yet they differ in operation from the standard (Waldo, 2019).

  Goals of Blockchain:

The Blockchain system was initially designed to be a secure, trust-free system for electronic cryptocurrency transactions. Consequently, there existed three primary goals during the design of the system; the first goal is to protect the privacy of every user; thus, all users must remain anonymous. Secondly, there is the provision of public records, commonly referred to as a ledger, where the history of transactions cannot be altered. Finally, the system is designed to be free of any single authority or individual having control over it (Waldo, 2019).

How Blockchain works:

According to Waldo (2018), any Blockchain typically consists of a ledger, a consensus protocol, and digital currency. Sagiv (2018) describes the process when the need arises for a person to send money to another person. First, the transaction is depicted as a block. A block is analogous to a single page contained within a typical paper ledger. After that, the neighborhood is distributed to every computer (node) in the network. The transaction has to be approved by miners for it to be incorporated into the Blockchain. After it has been verified, the money is received at the other end.

Why has Blockchain received so much popularity?

There are several reasons why Blockchain technology is gaining so much popularity. First, there exists a lot of transparency in Blockchain because the ledgers are open for everyone to inspect. The system builds the trust of users since the transactions are decentralized without a single authority, such as banks controlling it. Secondly, Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have been accepted in the financial markets and can be traded just like other equities. People are, therefore, more open towards using them. Furthermore, the Blockchain system is secure from hacking and scams because the transactions in blocks, once verified, cannot be tampered. Finally, most cryptocurrencies are now accepted for payment of goods and services and the purchases involved are free from the costs of transfer of funds and remittances (Micaleff, 2019)

References:

Macauley, E. (2019, 12, 13). What Are the Most Popular Cryptocurrencies? https://sba.thehartford.com/finance/cryptocurrency/what-are-the-most-popular-cryptocurrencies/

Micaleff, K. (2019, 04, 17). Cryptocurrency and why it’s become so popular. https://www.maltablockchainsummit.com/news/cryptocurrency-and-why-its-become-so-popular/

Sagiv, S. M. (2018). Blockchain – a brief overview. Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv.

Sarmah, S. S. (2018, 08). Understanding Blockchain Technology. doi:10.5923/j.computer.20180802.02

Waldo, J. (2019, 03). A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Blockchain Universe. Communications of the ACM, 62, pp. 38-42. doi:10.1145/3303868

Discussion-3 100 words

The use of a door bolt can emphasize physical security in an organization. These are the types of locks that are used to ensure that the doors are kept shut. They are fastened with padlocks to provide more sophisticated security functions (Fennelly, 2016). When used accordingly, it eradicates random access to unauthorized persons who may cause harm in organizations such as committing crimes, vandalism, robbery, and compromise the information in the systems. The use of door bolts enhances the security of the organization when embedded with other external forces, such as the use of security lights, alarms, and guards.

There are various types of door bolts. Each of them possesses unique features and assimilates at the same time. The two types of door bolt I will compare, and contrast are padlocks and deadlocks. The distinction between the two arises with their respective functionality and appearance. According to Fennelly (2016), Padlocks are not permanently attached to anything else. The two varieties of padlocks are combination and keyed. Combination locks are easy to decode as it has several dials that open the lock when the correct combination is entered. Keyed padlocks can be rekey able or not-rekey able that is anon-rekey able padlock cannot forge the key to open the lock. Other padlocks can be key-retaining in that you cannot remove the key while the latch is open. Fasteners also have a shrouded shackle that inhibits cutting from bolt cutters.

The deadbolt on the other side is installed on external doors with lesser varieties to be considered like the padlocks. The ranges are single, double, and lockable thumb-turn.  A single deadbolt cylinder use key on the outside and a rosary from inside to open (Fennelly, 2016). The weakness is that if a nearby window or peephole can access the rosary, the door can be opened. A double cylinder solves the issue posed by a single deadbolt. The thumb-turn type deadbolt provides maximum flexibility and security in most cases.

References

Fennelly, L. J. (2016). Effective physical security. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Discussion-4 100 words

Home security issues lies majorly on fastening the doors. The use of bolts is the ultimate solution to the physical security threats that affect many homes today. There are many door bolts but I will only discuss two of them that are commonly used. These are the flush door bolts and  surface door bolts . These two door bolts are used to ensure that there is additional physical security in different homes. A solution to notorious crime involving thieves who often break into houses through doors.

Many features distinguish flush bolts from surface bolts. To start with, flush bolts can be mortised into the door as compared to flush bolts which are secured using screws. Surface bolts function through the sliding of the bolt into the strike unlike the flush bolts hence can be referred to as slide Bolts (Lin, 2005).  In some instances, the strike securing the bolt to be always closed can be surface fit on the door frame. Flush bolts can be fitted relatively high up to the childproof of the doors as compared to the surface bolts. Surface bolts can be easily installed since they are just screwed into the door with little damage to the door parts of fix, unlike the flush bolts that require to be mortised into the door and are accompanied by a lot of damages. 

 Both the surface bolts and flush bolts are fitted high up on the door proof (Adams, 1937). Flush bolts can be used especially on pairs of doors with two leaves basically to secure the dormant leaf that projects into the floor strike and the frame head while the surface bolts are used mainly on single doors by just sliding the bolt into the strike.

The two types of bolts, therefore, have many distinguishing features based on their similarities and differences but they serve the same purpose of ensuring that high physical security in homes hence protecting lives and property from malicious individuals who break into dwelling places.

 

References

Lin, C. T. (2005). U.S. Patent No. 6,883,837. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Adams, G. R. (1937). U.S. Patent No. 2,100,622. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.