The problem Lockie solves

Traditional methods of storing and distributing question papers are prone to risks such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and loss of documents. These vulnerabilities can lead to compromised exam integrity, theft of intellectual property, and logistical challenges in secure distribution.

How Lockie Makes Things Easier and Safer

• Tamper-Proof Storage: Lockie uses blockchain technology to securely store question papers, ensuring that once uploaded, the content cannot be altered or tampered with.
• Decentralized Access: By leveraging IPFS, Lockie provides a decentralized and distributed network for accessing question papers, making it nearly impossible for a single point of failure to compromise the system.
• Transparent Audit Trails: Every action taken on Lockie, from uploading to accessing documents, is recorded on the blockchain, providing a transparent and immutable audit trail.
• Secure Retrieval: Only authorized users can access the stored question papers, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.
• Simplified Distribution: Lockie streamlines the distribution process, allowing educators and administrators to securely share question papers with the right stakeholders without the need for intermediaries or cumbersome security measur

Challenges I ran into

Challenges I Ran Into

One of the major challenges I faced while building Lockie was ensuring secure and efficient storage of question papers on IPFS while maintaining fast retrieval times. Storing large files on a decentralized network like IPFS can lead to slow access times, which is particularly problematic for users who need quick and reliable access to question papers.

To overcome this, I implemented a multi-layer caching mechanism. By integrating IPFS with a local cache on the client side, I was able to reduce the time it took to retrieve frequently accessed documents. Additionally, I optimized the IPFS storage process by chunking larger files and parallelizing the upload process, which significantly improved both upload and retrieval speeds.

Another challenge was integrating the blockchain with IPFS in a way that ensured seamless and secure interaction between the two systems. I resolved this by using smart contracts to generate unique cryptographic hashes for each stored document, which are then used as references on the blockchain. This approach not only enhanced the security of the storage but also ensured that the integrity of the data could be easily verified by any user.

Through these solutions, I was able to build a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly system for storing and retrieving question papers.