Article: Blockchain-enabled secure distance learning platforms for higher education Journal: International Journal of Information and Communication Technology (IJICT) 2026 Vol.27 No.56 pp.1 - 31 Abstract: Some people are concerned about the protection of students' privacy, the authenticity of the materials used in the courses, and the safety of students communicating with one another in virtual learning settings. The growing number of educational institutions offers online degree programs. There is a single point of failure in older systems, which could be exploited to alter academic records, gain unauthorised access to systems, and cause problems. It is caused by the fact that earlier systems were designed to function well with centralised architecture. BESDL, which stands for blockchain-enabled secure distance learning, is one approach that could address these issues. The blockchain technology's permanent record and decentralised consensus make data more trustworthy, open, and dependable than it would otherwise be. The three primary components of this system are the secure content-based access control (SCBAC), the decentralised identity management (DIM), and the encrypted content delivery (ECD) protocols, which collaborate to safeguard educational resources. According to the test findings, BESDL enhances system security, maintains examinable academic records, and accelerates the checking process. To summarise, BESDL is not only dependable but also flexible, making it an excellent option for future higher education institutions that will combine online learning. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Blockchain-enabled secure distance learning platforms for higher education

Authors: Jianmin Chen; Xue Chang

Addresses: Faculty of Education, Changchun Guanghua University, 130033, Changchun China; Shenzhen City Polytechnic (Shenzhen Institute of Technology), Guangdong, 518045, China ' Faculty of Education, Changchun Guanghua University, 130033, Changchun China; Shenzhen City Polytechnic (Shenzhen Institute of Technology), Guangdong, 518045, China

Abstract: Some people are concerned about the protection of students' privacy, the authenticity of the materials used in the courses, and the safety of students communicating with one another in virtual learning settings. The growing number of educational institutions offers online degree programs. There is a single point of failure in older systems, which could be exploited to alter academic records, gain unauthorised access to systems, and cause problems. It is caused by the fact that earlier systems were designed to function well with centralised architecture. BESDL, which stands for blockchain-enabled secure distance learning, is one approach that could address these issues. The blockchain technology's permanent record and decentralised consensus make data more trustworthy, open, and dependable than it would otherwise be. The three primary components of this system are the secure content-based access control (SCBAC), the decentralised identity management (DIM), and the encrypted content delivery (ECD) protocols, which collaborate to safeguard educational resources. According to the test findings, BESDL enhances system security, maintains examinable academic records, and accelerates the checking process. To summarise, BESDL is not only dependable but also flexible, making it an excellent option for future higher education institutions that will combine online learning.

Keywords: blockchain; distance learning; higher education; smart contracts; secure authentication.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2026.153911

International Journal of Information and Communication Technology, 2026 Vol.27 No.56, pp.1 - 31

Received: 06 Jan 2026
Accepted: 17 Feb 2026
Published online: 29 May 2026 *

Title: Blockchain-enabled secure distance learning platforms for higher education

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