Blockchain Free Online Course with Certification [2024]

Updated on 15 June, 2022

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Blockchain Free Online Course with Certification

Blockchain is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing tech skills in the world. Although blockchain tech initially found popularity in the BFSI sector, it is not limited to a single industry anymore. It has expanded its reach to numerous industries beyond the banking and financial services sector, including retail, eCommerce, healthcare, real estate, gaming, supply chain & logistics, to name a few.

Learn online software courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career.

Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition.

What is Blockchain?

As the name suggests, Blockchain literally means a chain of blocks that can store any form of information (date, time, location, etc.) of digital transactions. It is a public, decentralized, and distributed ledger used to store and record digital transactions in a peer-to-peer network.

Since it is decentralized, there’s no single authority managing or handling a blockchain network. Instead, it is managed and validated by all the participants in a network. This feature makes it nearly impossible for any third party or outsider to hack into a blockchain and tamper with the data stored in it. Learn more about the functionality of blockchain technology.

What makes Blockchain a compelling technology?

There are several reasons why Blockchain has spiraled its way to the top tech trends in the market right now:

1. It is highly secure and immutable – Cyberattacks and cybercrimes have skyrocketed in the last decade, making data a vulnerable asset for both businesses and customers. However, a blockchain helps solve this problem since storing and validating data in a blockchain is highly complex and protected via cryptography. Thus, it is immutable and tamper-proof.

2. It is transparent – Since Blockchain is a public ledger, anyone can view the data stored in a blockchain. All the parties can access and view the same information. Each participant in a blockchain network can access an individual copy of the Blockchain protected by a unique cryptographic key. Also, this information is spread across a vast network, which makes it difficult to manipulate it. Anyone wishing to make even a minute change in one block’s records will need to modify each copy of the blockchain network.

3. It facilitates speedy transactions – With Blockchain, you can instantly send and receive any kind of transaction, be it financial or sharing data over a network. A blockchain officially has no downtime whatsoever.

Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Blockchain

4. It increases financial efficiency – As mentioned before, transactions in a blockchain occur without third party involvement. All transactions take place according to the agreed-upon sanctions of the parties involved. Since Blockchain eliminates the concept of intermediaries, the transactions are smooth, private, and cost-efficient.

5. It eliminates the possibility of fraud – Being an open-source ledger, all transactions in a blockchain are visible to all peers. Hence, the network participants can quickly identify if anyone tries to manipulate or violate the data and if any fraudulent actions occur.

Read: How to make a successful career in blockchain?

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Industries Using Blockchain

Here are five industries that are already leveraging Blockchain:

1. Healthcare 

Healthcare institutions have to handle and manage large volumes of sensitive medical and patient data. Usually, this information is stored in a central repository making it an easy target for hackers. However, healthcare providers are now storing medical data across a decentralized and distributed network with blockchain tech. This increases privacy and keeps sensitive data safe from any violations.

2. Pharmaceuticals

Pharma companies use blockchain tech to take the track-and-trace serialization process to the next level by enhancing real-time supply chain transparency and eliminating erroneous data. By making the process seamless and transparent, pharma companies can minimize costs and improve system security.

3. Food industry

Food supply companies are using Blockchain to enhance and regulate food safety. By incorporating blockchain technology in the food supply chain, all food suppliers, processors, regulators, vendors, retailers, and customers can access the information about the origin and sourcing of food items. All the transactions are transparent. Blockchain not only ensures that food items are sourced ethically and legally, but it also helps companies to trace contaminated foods, allowing them to eliminate them from their inventory.

4. Asset management

Blockchain is fast becoming an integral part of asset management, especially for managing tangible/intangible and complex assets like real estate. Typically, these assets are constrained by determining factors like liquidity and investment size. Thanks to Blockchain, asset management firms can easily tokenize, section, and distribute the assets securely with minimal friction and management costs.

5. Capital markets

The modern capital market is regulated by stringent laws, rules, and risks. One of the most compelling risks involved in capital markets is high operational costs, which hinders companies’ profit margin and harms potential customers by raising the entry bar. Blockchain can solve this challenge by optimizing the back-end operation costs via a permissioned, immutable, and single shared ledger accessible to the capital market stakeholders.

Thanks to the security and transparency that it offers, Blockchain is making its way into many industries. This is further pushing the demand for blockchain experts across different sectors.

Learn Blockchain for free: The upGrad advantage

According to LinkedIn, Blockchain is one of the top skills for professionals worldwide in 2023. After all, Blockchain’s ability to store, validate, authorize, and share data securely over the Internet makes it the perfect tool for sensitive digital transitions.

If you want to make the most of this emerging opportunity, now’s the time to enroll in a blockchain online course. The best thing about online learning is that it offers you the flexibility to learn and progress as per your convenience and set schedule. 

upGrad has 2 free courses on blockchain i.e. Blockchain Technology: A Quick Introduction and Blockchain Features Simplified. These courses are the perfect choice for you if you’re looking to expand your skillset at no cost. These courses can be completed in 2-3 weeks and will help you learn the basics of blockchain technology.

You’ll be trained by qualified instructors and industry experts who’ll not only impart theoretical knowledge but also guide you on how to use your newly gained knowledge for real-world scenarios. Like any other upGrad course, these free blockchain courses comes with top-notch learning material, and a certificate of completion.

Below are the details of the courses:

1. Blockchain Technology: A Quick Introduction

The first module will introduce you to Blockchain and cryptography’s fundamental concepts, such as PKI, Digital Signatures, Smart Contracts, etc. You will learn their use cases and also how these cutting-edge methods act as alternatives to the existing legacy systems.

2. Blockchain Features Simplified

This course will teach you all about the global use-cases of Blockchain. It will mainly focus on Bitcoin’s network architecture, Smart Contract development, and their basic features.

 Learning blockchain skills can be a massive boost for your career and increase your market value. As an increasing number of companies experiment with blockchain tech, new and exciting positions in this field are opening up. 

Also Read: Blockchain Project Ideas & Topics

Career in Blockchain

As blockchain continues to emerge as one of the world’s most prominent technologies,  individuals are searching for ways to learn more about it for better future opportunities. Perceiving the rapid growth of blockchain, the future holds vast opportunities for programmers with lucrative job roles in businesses with blockchain as their underlying technology.

Reports claim blockchain developers have an average salary of around $175,000, far more than software engineers, making the future thoroughly competitive for developers to win opportunities. Although growth in demand for blockchain developers is also expected, opportunities will be grabbed by individuals with solid blockchain knowledge and development skills. 

A free blockchain course can help you kickstart your future-proof blockchain journey. All you need is the right place that offers a blockchain online course free of cost, and upGrad is that place!

In order to bag potential blockchain developer roles, your preparation must start early, and the free blockchain course from upGrad emphasizes doing the same with their expert team of efficient mentors. upGrad shares two extensively curated blockchain courses to introduce and further take candidates through its advanced stages.

upGrad’s Exclusive Software and Tech Webinar for you –

SAAS Business – What is So Different?

What do you get from the course?

upGrad aims to make blockchain and crypto knowledge accessible through a blockchain online course free of cost, which is curated under the guidance of industry experts with years of experience and industry-relevant expertise. The course is compiled using real-time projects to make learning as authentic as possible for learners while keeping it relevant. Besides the obtained knowledge, you also get certification to strengthen your resume by exhibiting your blockchain knowledge and skills. 

Interested candidates hoping to make a career in blockchain can pursue an advanced blockchain program under upGrad, too, to enhance their skill level and attain exciting opportunities in the current and future blockchain market. 

How to Start

To join our machine learning online course free, follow these simple steps:

All the courses present on our upGrad Free Courses page are available for free and don’t require any monetary investment. These courses help you kickstart your learning journey and get acquainted with the fundamentals of such complicated subjects.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know through the comments. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re intrigued by reading this article and want to start your Blockchain career, you can visit upGrad. Check out IIIT-B & upGrad’s Advanced Certificate Programme in Blockchain to learn building smart contracts and chain codes. The course will surely help you understand Blockchain’s basics and its future in marketing strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Hyperledger?

Hyperledger, created by the Linux Foundation in 2016, is a global enterprise blockchain project to create distributed ledgers using blockchain technology. It offers necessary frameworks, guidelines, standards, tools to build blockchain-related applications and has had the support of prominent organizations such as IBM, Intel, American Express, and many others. Hyperlink-based technology works using five layers: consensus, smart contract, communication, API, and identity management services. Some of the famous projects offered by Hyperledger are Hyperledger Sawtooth, Hyperledger Fabric, Hyperledger Indy, Hyperledger Besu, etc.

2. What are Block Identifiers?

The role of Block Identifiers is basically to identify a particular block. A cryptographic hash identifies each block. A digital signature is created using the SHA256 cryptographic hash algorithm by hashing the block header twice. Every block hash is unique and is created using the previous block, also known as the parent block. It means every block contains its parent’s hash inside its header, and the sequence of linking hashes with their previous block creates a chain. This chain is known as the genesis block. Each parent block can have many following blocks, although only one block remains at the end.

3. What is Crypto Token, and how is it different from Crypto Coins?

Tokens, usually confused with Crypto Coins, are tradable assets with multiple utilities. Crypto tokens can be considered digital assets stored on a blockchain. Unlike cryptocurrencies which are used to make payments, crypto tokens can be used for many things. They can be held as a store of value, act as a medium of exchange, etc. Another fundamental difference between them is that crypto tokens don’t have their own blockchains; instead, they run on the blockchains of Crypto coins. Tokens are proof of ownership, which means it has to be physically moved from one place to another in case of transfer of ownership. One example can be NFTs which are proof of ownership and whose transfer of ownership has to be transferred manually.

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Mayank Sahu

Mayank Sahu is the Program Marketing Manager with upGrad for all emerging technology vertical. His past experience is in analytics industry extensively in healthcare Domain. Mayank has completed his Graduation from IIT Delhi.

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If ‘Blockchain’ is the word you’re hearing a tad too much nowadays, then by now you must have understood that the latest hype behind Blockchain technology is real. Blockchain has emerged as one of the hottest buzzwords of the tech world today. In fact, in just the past one year, there’s been a 250% increase in the Google search requests for the word ‘Blockchain.’ Companies and organizations around the world are embracing this pioneering technology to shape and enhance their business operations. Learn Software Development Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition   But, let’s move over this hype for a sec, and focus on the question – What is Blockchain? What is Blockchain? The brainchild of Satoshi Nakamoto, Blockchain came to the spotlight in 2009 with its first major application – Bitcoin. While Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, Blockchain is the technology that resides at its core. In simple words, Blockchain is an open-source, distributed ledger capable of recording and storing information (primarily financial transactions) which is then secured by unique cryptographical designs. As the name suggests, the Blockchain infrastructure is made up of numerous ‘blocks,’ each of which contains the transaction data, a timestamp, and the link (cryptographic hash) to the preceding block. 7 ways Blockchain is Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry This unique and innovative design makes Blockchain a safe space for data – the data cannot be deleted, modified, manipulated, or misused in any way. Another crucial aspect of Blockchain technology is that it is consensus-oriented which further reduces the possibility of data being manipulated or misused. Its design is such that a large number of computers (nodes) are connected over a network. So, every time one wishes to add a transaction to a blockchain, he/she must solve a mathematical test, the results of which are shared with all the machines connected to the network. Only when every computer on the network mutually agrees on the result can the user add transactions to the chain. Furthermore, in Blockchain, data is never stored in one particular location, thereby, making it harder for cybercriminals to access it. Blockchain is, thus, the first technology that facilitates the transfer of digital ownership in a decentralized manner. These features are what make Blockchain so appealing to the magnates of the tech world. Now that we’ve answered what is Blockchain, arises the question – How to become a Blockchain expert? Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in DevOps Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript How To Become A Blockchain Expert? As more and more companies and institutions adopt the Blockchain technology, the demand for skilled and qualified Blockchain professionals is also escalating rapidly. Bloomberg maintains that in 2017 itself, the number of Blockchain related job postings increased by four times on LinkedIn. So, there’s never been a better time to launch a successful career in Blockchain! However, to become a Blockchain Expert, you must first develop the skill set required for this technology. Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN)  upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   Get Acquainted With Blockchain Architecture When working with Blockchain technology, it is needless to say that, you must possess a thorough understanding of Blockchain and its innate architecture. This means that you must be well-versed with Blockchain concepts like cryptography, cryptographic hash functions, distributed ledger technology, consensus, decentralized consensus, smart contracts, and trusted computing, to name a few. This first step is crucial to building a strong foundational knowledge in Blockchain technology. Applications of Blockchain in Healthcare To get an in-depth understanding of the working of Blockchain, you can read this whitepaper on Bitcoin. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses Learn How Cryptocurrency Works Since Blockchain’s star application is cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), you must know how the system works. There are numerous platforms such as Coinbase and Coinmama where you can learn how to handle cryptocurrency and digital transactions. All you need to do is to register on any of these platforms (choose one that is accessible in your country) and purchase coins. Take baby steps and start by purchasing a few coins first. Build your portfolio as you go. Since your primary focus here is to learn the process, you do not need to buy a lump sum amount of coins. For small transactions, online wallets are the best choice. As you continue to make purchases using your wallet, the idea of how digital financial transactions are conducted using cryptocurrencies will gradually become clear to you. Data Structures and Cryptography Just as data structures are an integral part of coding, so it is also a fundamental aspect of Blockchain technology. As a matter of fact, Blockchain uses a combination of data structures and cryptography to create a secure and robust environment for data. Thus, to become a Blockchain expert you must build a solid grasp on data structures and cryptographic designs and functions including hash functions like MD5, CRC32, and SHA1. Web Development Web development is a pivotal aspect of Blockchain technology. In fact, Blockchain developers and experts often begin their career with building and designing decentralized applications. This entails that a Blockchain expert must possess both front-end and back-end development skills. As a Blockchain developer, you will be expected to be well-versed in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, and Python, among others. So, make sure you brush up on these programming languages while honing your database skills as well. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Know Your Platform If you wish to become a Blockchain expert, merely understanding Blockchain architecture and concepts will not suffice – you must know your platforms well. Choosing the right Blockchain platform that’s best suited for a particular task is the mark of a great Blockchain expert. So, get ready to dive deep into the various Blockchain platforms like Fabric, Ethereum, Ripple, and R3 Corda. An in-depth knowledge about these platforms will help you identify which platform will work best for which use case. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Why Should You Consider Transitioning To Blockchain Based Roles? As we said earlier, Blockchain is the hottest trend and buzzword in the industry right now, so opportunities in this domain are growing rapidly too. The foremost reason as to why you should consider transitioning to Blockchain is, of course, that it is exciting, innovative, and is here to stay. Tech giants like Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and many more have already started harnessing the benefits of Blockchain. While the demand for Blockchain experts is ever-increasing, what’s lacking is the supply of befitting talent. There are not many people in this field, which makes it the perfect playing field for individuals who’re upskilling in Blockchain. Also, since there’s hardly any competition, the pay for most Blockchain jobs is huge. Blockchain Technology Use Cases in the Banking Sector Blockchain is no rocket science. If you bear the passion for learning something new and exciting, then Blockchain should be yet another challenge for you to accomplish. Once you have a clear understanding of Blockchain technology, its concepts, and working, making a career transition to Blockchain shouldn’t be difficult. If anything, you’ll embark on the road to a promising future. If you’re interested to become a blockchain developer and build smart contracts and chain codes, checkout IIIT-B & upGrad’s Advanced certificate program in blockchain technology.
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by Arjun Mathur

31 Oct'18
What are Hashing, Signatures and Public-Private Keys

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What are Hashing, Signatures and Public-Private Keys

Once you know what is blockchain technology, you understand that the sealing mechanism is the key to the successful and accurate maintenance of a blockchain. But how can these stringent requirements be fulfilled? The conditions imposed on the sealing mechanism of a blockchain are satisfied using a hash function. Learn Online Software Development Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. The mathematical definition of a hash function is a function that takes a variable length numerical input and returns a number of fixed length as output. In order to work with strings of characters, ASCII codes can be used to convert characters into integers and vice versa. The output returned by the hash function is known as the hash value. Most popular hash functions have a fixed hash value size lying between 160 and 512 bits. All blockchains impose target conditions on the output of the hash function when a block is an input to it. To fulfil these target conditions, a seal is computed and concatenated to the block being stored. This seal encrypts the contents of the block and preserves their integrity. This is because any change to the block would drastically change its corresponding hash value, and cause it to escape the target conditions. The computed seal is commonly known as a nonce. A common target condition that the nonce must satisfy is ensuring that the leading ‘n’ characters of the output hash be zero. The value of ‘n’ sets the level of difficulty in the blockchain, which may be adjusted periodically as per the requirements of the network. Blockchain Applications in Supply Chain Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition  There are three important properties that hash functions must satisfy in order to be used effectively in the blockchain. Given the hash value output by the function, it must be computationally difficult to find any input that, when hashed, returns the given output. This is known as pre-image resistance. In other words, the hash function should be computationally expensive to reverse. Similarly, given the input to the function, it must be difficult to compute any other input to the same function that outputs the same hash value as the original input. This is known as collision resistance. However, given any input to the hash function, it should be easy to compute the corresponding value output by the hash function. This is to ensure easy verification of the integrity of the contents of the blockchain. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses The first two properties given above are critical because they slow down the rate of computation of the nonce, or proof of work. This causes the rate at which blocks are added to the chain to be limited by the rate of computation of the nonce, and not the rate at which transactions occur. This is absolutely crucial because it prevents dishonest individuals in the network from generating and adding blocks of false transactions to the chain at a quicker rate than the network itself. This is because a single individual cannot compete with the computing power of a large network, and thus the longest chain of blocks always belongs to the majority in the network itself. This allows us to be able to safely accept the longest chain as the real blockchain under the assumption that the majority in the network is honest. The vulnerabilities of a blockchain in the case of a dishonest majority have already been discussed in a prior article. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Check out upGrad’s Java Bootcamp  Applications of Blockchain in Healthcare There are many different forms of hash functions that are used in cryptography. MD5 is the most popular hash function of the Message Digest family, which also consists of MD2, MD4 and MD6. The SHA family, consisting of SHA-0, SHA-1, SHA-2 and SHA-3, is another popular set of algorithms used for hashing. RIPEMD and Whirlpool are other common hash functions. These functions all implement different techniques to obtain the properties of pre-image and collision resistance. The sealing mechanism of the blockchain ensures that transactions cannot be falsified after the blocks have been added to the chain. But how are any imposters in the network prevented from faking a transaction between two members of the network? In other words, how can the identity of the members involved in the transaction be verified in an anonymous network distributed across the globe? upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4 Verification of any transaction conducted in a blockchain network requires a digital signature. Each member of the blockchain network is assigned a public key and a private key. The public key of each member is known to all members of the network, but the private key remains secret and is known only to the individual it is assigned to. Any message encrypted using the private key of a member node can only be decrypted using the corresponding public key of the pair, and vice versa. This allows nodes to approve transactions by signing them with their private key. This can now only be decrypted by their corresponding public key, thus verifying them as the senders. The transaction can similarly be encrypted by the receiver as well in order to confirm their involvement in the transaction. 7 ways Blockchain is Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN)  This mechanism allows nodes to authenticate transactions by verifying the identities of the nodes involved while still maintaining their anonymity. The digital signature and the concept of public and private keys prevents other nodes from making false transactions on your behalf even in the event of a 51% attack. Thus, it is an elegant way of ensuring the security as well as the anonymity of individual members of the network. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? If you are interested to create blockchain applications from scratch, check out upGrad & IIIT-B’s Executive Certification in Blockchain from IIITB.
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by Drish Mahnot

16 Jan'19
51% Attack in Blockchain Technology [Explained]

5.16K+

51% Attack in Blockchain Technology [Explained]

Through the design of the technology, we know that the blockchain is immune to attack from any individual member of the network. However, what happens if the blockchain comes under attack from a large group of participants? More precisely, what happens if a group successfully takes control of over 50% of the computing power of the blockchain? Such a scenario is known as a 51% attack, and it is one of the few real vulnerabilities of a blockchain. Learn Software Engineering Programs from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. To understand the problems posed by a 51% attack, we must return to the fundamentals of the blockchain and recall the process of adding a new block to the chain. Members of a network compete to be the first to compute a valid seal for the block and claim a reward. Inevitably, a group of individuals in control of over half the computing power of the network can monopolize this process and claim all the rewards for themselves. Such a situation allows this group to be the only entity to benefit from the rewards of the blockchain by preventing other members from adding blocks to the chain. This is possible because majority rule is among the fundamental concepts of a blockchain. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition.  Another possible consequence of a 51% attack is known as double spending, and this is significantly more harmful than the prior one. Double spending occurs when a group of individuals successfully reverse completed transactions in a blockchain, allowing them to retrieve their money and spend it again. This is the digital equivalent of counterfeiting. It is made possible during a 51% attack due to the fundamental idea that the longest chain of a blockchain is the true one. Ironically, this is the same safeguard that makes double spending impossible when attempted by an ordinary member of the network. 7 ways Blockchain is Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry In order to understand how double spending may occur, let us consider the following example. Imagine a network in which there exists an alliance that controls over half the computing power of the network. Suppose that A, a member of the alliance, buys a house from B, an ordinary member of the blockchain. The transfer of money from A to B is recorded by each ordinary member of the network, but all members of the alliance secretly do not add this transaction to their records. The ongoing block is then completed and added to the chain by the honest individuals but secretly ignored by the alliance. There are now two versions of the blockchain in the network- the actual one with the recorded transaction, and the false one. As of this moment, the true blockchain is longer and accepted by the network, so the false version is kept secret by the alliance temporarily. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in DevOps  The alliance now continue to record the ongoing transactions in the network, as well as privately conducting meaningless transactions among themselves. These transactions are not announced to the network and allow the alliance to generate blocks at a faster rate than the true blockchain. As the alliance possesses over half the computing power of the network, it is possible for it to add blocks to the false blockchain at a higher rate than the blocks added to the true blockchain. At some point, the length of the false blockchain exceeds that of the true blockchain, and the alliance now broadcasts this to the entire network. The network is then forced to accept this version of the blockchain as it is the longest version, and the transaction conducted between A and B is effectively reversed, allowing A to spend the same money on something else. What is Blockchain Technology? [Explained] Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Thus, the alliance can monopolize the claiming of rewards and double spend money. They can also block transactions of other members using a similar procedure to that of double spending. They cannot forge a new transaction between ordinary members, however, as this requires the private keys of the members between which the transaction occurs. It is also quite difficult for them to modify blocks that have already been stored in the blockchain as this requires a very vast majority of the computing power of the blockchain to be feasible. The further back the blocks in the chain, the more secure they are. The frailties of the blockchain exposed by a 51% attack lead us to the conclusion that the more nodes in a network, the more secure it is. This is simply because it is significantly easier to gain the majority in a network of 10 people than in a network of a million. In order to compete with the computing power of a distributed network with nodes worldwide, an ordinary individual would have to spend vast amounts resources in the form of money, electricity and time, or form an alliance that is far too large and distributed to organize efficiently. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN) In general, the largest blockchains are quite safe from a 51% attack. However, there have been some significant instances of 51% attacks in notable blockchains in the past. For example, ghash.io, a mining pool in the bitcoin network, briefly controlled over half the blockchain’s computing power in July 2014, which resulted in the pool voluntarily relinquishing some of its shares so as to not monopolize the mining of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin Gold was not quite as fortunate when it suffered a 51% attack during May 2018, and the malicious attackers successfully managed to double spend over 18 million dollars worth of cryptocurrency. Growing Demand for Software Engineers in Blockchain Technology The very fundamentals of a blockchain rely on the assumption that the majority in the blockchain is honest. This exposes the biggest weakness of a blockchain and its main true area of vulnerability. A dishonest majority can cause vast damage to the blockchain. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? If you are interested to create blockchain applications from scratch, check out upGrad & IIIT-B’s Executive Certification in Blockchain from IIITB.
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by Drish Mahnot

16 Jan'19
The Rise of Careers in Blockchain and What You Should Know

5.79K+

The Rise of Careers in Blockchain and What You Should Know

Time is changing fast! The onset of technologies such as blockchain has tremendously changed the very face of the technology industry forever. While the tech space is no stranger to rapidly changing skills demanded from professionals, the rise of blockchain has uniquely affected the industry in terms of the explosive growth in opportunities it is currently experiencing. How has blockchain necessitated new skills and learning goals? What does the future look like in terms of blockchain jobs and careers? This article discusses the career dynamics in the blockchain space and how those with a profound understanding of the technology will be valuable assets for cutting-edge projects of the future. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition Learn Software Development Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Demand surges for blockchain roles The rise of blockchain resulted in more and more companies and start-ups raising the requisite capital to grow and scale, necessitating the need to hire experienced professionals with the desired skill set for the venture to eventually scale. The demand soon catapulted over the supply. According to Glassdoor, the average starting salary in the blockchain space is $32,000 higher than the median US salary. The writing on the wall is clear. What’s more? ‘Blockchain developer’ topped LinkedIn’s recently published list of the top 5 emerging careers in 2018. This comes despite the fact that these last few months have seen fluctuations in cryptocurrency trends. In fact, recent data from Hired has revealed that blockchain developers command salaries of the order of $175,000. This is, in fact, quite expected considering the scarcity of talent in this booming niche. Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Cloud Computing  Some of the companies hiring blockchain experts include leading enterprises such as IBM, ConsenSys, and Chainyard. The two former companies are responsible for posting 12% of the open jobs each according to Glassdoor reports. 51% Attack in Blockchain Technology [Explained] Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Blockchain developer This boom in Blockchain has led to the most in-demand role of ‘Blockchain Developer’. This technical role necessitates skills in languages like Solidity and Go Language which is used to create automatically executing agreements called smart contracts or chain codes on blockchain platforms. In addition, proficiency in C++, Java, Javascript, NODE.JS, and HTML can prove valuable. A blockchain developer will greatly benefit from having a deep understanding of data structure and possessing algorithm skills. ” upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4 ” Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Cyber Security Other Job Roles in Blockchain Like other firms, blockchain companies and start-ups will need project managers to help steer the company’s efforts in the desired direction. Enterprises have also been seeking talented blockchain architects with expertise in designing and leveraging blockchain platforms such as the Hyperledger fabric, Ethereum, and Corda to name a few. Blockchain quality engineers are tasked with ensuring the maintenance of quality in all aspects of blockchain implementation. Blockchain technology has created some roles which are not all technical in nature and function. It is increasingly common to come across openings for roles in blockchain operations,  business, and design as data reveals. Blockchain attorneys and legal consultants are highly sought after professionals who advise companies over regulatory compliance— a space that has seen a lot of activity in recent months. Blockchain jobs and roles will only continue to increase with time if experts are to be believed and this will usher in an era where blockchain administrators, blockchain architects, blockchain sales professionals, and blockchain security experts will help make Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) products, services, and projects a part and parcel of the real world. The rise of the freelance economy In recent years, the freelance economy has grown by leaps and bounds. More and more professionals are now opting to work remotely, ditching offices in favour of flexible workspaces. When it comes to freelancing, blockchain development has grown by a rate of more than 6000% since the previous year. According to Upwork, the well-known freelancing portal, blockchain freelancers earn anywhere between $65/hour and $250/hour. The company has also revealed that blockchain is the fastest growing of the 5000+ skills listed on the website. Blockchain Technology Use Cases in the Banking Sector[Explained] Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses India and Blockchain Jobs As per latest reports released by LinkedIn, 1 out of 10 jobs announced in the blockchain niches posted from India. Blockchain developers, smart contract developers, and blockchain generalists are in high demand. Several conglomerates and leading players across sectors in India have announced large blockchain projects to tackle different use cases. Even the country’s Government think tank, NITI Aayog has announced IndiaChain –  an indicator of the immense opportunities for growth in this sector in the nation. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Ever Increasing Demand Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) has been disrupting businesses and industries with the promise of greater trust, security, and transparency. Blockchain, the immutable ledger that stores data in a redundant and cryptographically secure manner needs a new generation of experts who understand the nuances of the technology to help enterprises and start-ups build chains that are efficient, secure, and scalable. From supply chain to healthcare and education to real estate, the blockchain has found uses in multiple spheres. The true potential of the technology will be further amplified when skilled minds join forces to create powerful solutions to bring blockchain applications to the real world. Given the fast-paced transformation, the demand for blockchain developers and other roles is ever increasing and immediate. The success of these endeavours though depends on effective instructional learning and courses that could help bright minds harness their talents. Arming them with all essential tools and knowledge resources, such programs will form the pillars of strength on which will rest the success of the blockchain revolution. Only a great foundation, after all, bears the weight of a colossal edifice. If you are interested to create blockchain applications from scratch, check out upGrad & IIIT-B’s Executive Certification in Blockchain from IIITB. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know?
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by Drish Mahnot

22 Jan'19
Blockchain is Transforming Indian Industries: Here’s How

5.42K+

Blockchain is Transforming Indian Industries: Here’s How

Blockchain has taken the world by storm. The distributed ledger has proven its mettle in every sphere of activity and the Indian industries have jumped on the bandwagon, even pioneering path-breaking blockchain-based solutions that set the stage for more developments to follow. From the banking sector to production, blockchain has made its way into the Indian Fintech ecosystem and is marking its presence in more profound ways with each passing day. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition. Blockchain, as the name suggests, uses a chain of cryptographically-linked blocks that are immutably stored. This ensures transparency through the decentralization of information which is shared across the network, replicated on all participating nodes rather than being stored on a central server prone to attacks. This is, in fact, the key to the power of this technology. Learn Software Development Programs from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Blockchain and KYC in the Indian Banking Space Banks have quickly realized the limitless opportunities this new technology holds in improving the efficiency of banking operations to guarantee, at the end of the day, a better customer experience. Amongst the multiple uses of the blockchain are the KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures so critical to the banking sector. Rapid globalization has transformed regions into globally positioned local units that are connected to the intercontinental network. Transactions frequently cross boundaries and necessitate KYC checks to ensure regulatory compliance. Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN) Needless to say though, the KYC data quickly becomes huge and often unmanageable. It is here that the Indian banks, like their peers elsewhere in the world, have recognized the efficacy of blockchain to store KYC records in an unalterable, secure, and accessible manner. The State Bank of India (SBI), the largest Indian bank with a 450 million customer base, has taken the lead, becoming the first Indian bank to use KYC procedures, in addition, to automatically executing codes called smart contracts, all powered by blockchain. HDFC Bank too plans to use blockchain in its KYC and trade finance procedures. This, however, is not where the use of DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) ends. blockchain will enable AML (Anti Money Laundering), asset inventory audits, and the validation of land records as well.   In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Check out upGrad’s Java Bootcamp.   BankChain Blockchain and Indian Banks: A Step Further SBI, taking a step further, has now become one of the first Asian banks to have rolled out the use of blockchain for facilitating remittance. The technology promises cost-effective remittances, which can quickly add up in the voluminous equation that spans both retail and corporate ecosystems. BankChain,  a “community of banks” and currently has 37 members working on as many as 22 live projects. The consortium aims to usher in an era of the “internet of value” which could facilitate the easy, cost-effective, and secure movement of value across the world. Towards the realization of this aim, BankChain has developed what it calls B2 or the BankChain Blockchain. The platform allows member banks to set up nodes on the cloud or on-premise, becoming participants in this one of a kind “permission blockchain for the world’s banks”. 7 ways Blockchain is Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry Claims Management in The Insurance Industry The Indian insurance industry has been rapidly keeping up with the blockchain, which promises relief from the inefficiencies inherent in the claims management process leading to losses of the order of Rs. 10,000 crore each year. Cognizant, the IT behemoth recently partnered with Indian insurers including SBI Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, HDFC Life, and Kotak Life to name a few, developing a secure data-sharing solution based on the Corda blockchain platform. Similar to the banking sector, the use of the distributed ledger will help facilitate record-keeping, due diligence, regulatory compliance, and of course, the prevention of frauds. The blockchain, as a true Six Sigma torchbearer, will ensure better customer experience through real-time data availability and transparency. Coupled with technologies based on Big Data, AI, and Machine Learning, the blockchain will help underwriters accomplish their jobs in a much more efficient way, thanks to the power of peer-to-peer networking that forms the core of the technology. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript IndiaChain: Blockchain For Public Good Announced by the NITI Aayog in 2017, IndiaChain is a mammoth project that will forever transform public administration, bringing in greater efficiency, transparency, and trust through the use of the blockchain. IndiaChain will be a colossal blockchain project that will allow streamlined record-keeping, efficient and transparent disbursement of government subsidies, well-regulated supply chain management, and systematic tax monitoring, to name just a few applications that immediately come to mind. Armed with the blockchain, the system would feature useful apps encouraging organizations to use the platform to make their own, similar to the UPI interface so ubiquitous today. IndiaChain would also integrate several “sidechains” which could be utilized for industry-specific functions with their own logic set but maintaining their links with the main blockchain. IndiaChain will also help breathe new life into the education sector that struggles with fraudulent degrees and certifications. Partnering with IIT Bombay and the DU colleges, the project will develop a platform to issue digital certificates for degrees secured with the distributed ledger. The digital certification platform will help eliminate the huge costs associated with the routine degree verification procedures used by companies hiring candidates. What’s more, IndiaChain will be integrated with the digital infrastructure developed around the Aadhar database, termed IndiaStack.   Another potential use of IndiaChain is in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry that necessitates the management of massive data. Beyond doubt, such industries need a secure and efficient system for optimal functioning; one that the blockchain so realistically promises to deliver. Growing Demand for Software Engineers in Blockchain Technology Looking into the Future The world as we know it is changing. Bleeding-edge technologies such as blockchain, AI, cloud computing, machine learning, and big data have made their presence felt in India, a constitutional republic that stands to benefit tremendously with the might of decentralization, the paradigm shift that resonates so deeply with the spirit of our nation; a revolution we have known closely as the largest democracy in the world. Blockchain brings the power back where it belongs – Into the hands of the people. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses If you are interested to create blockchain applications from scratch, check out upGrad & IIIT-B’s Executive Certification in Blockchain from IIITB.
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by Drish Mahnot

22 Jan'19
Growing Demand for Software Engineers in Blockchain Technology

5.43K+

Growing Demand for Software Engineers in Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology makes use of a centralized, peer-to-peer (P2P) network of databases, also called nodes, to validate and record digital transactions between individual users located anywhere across the globe. These transactions often take place through the exchange of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoins. The craze for blockchain technology stems from its hack-proof architecture which renders all user transactions transparent, authentic, and authorized. Each node updates its database in real-time as and when transactions occur. The transaction gets authorized only when a majority of the nodes in the network validate the transaction. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition Once the verification is complete, a block, consisting of hash and keys, is generated for each new transaction and is linked to previous transactions in every database. Every node updates its database with the new block. A hacker would have to break down every node in the system to commit fraud. Since the nodes are located globally and all the transactions are visible to every user, it is impossible to commit fraud for a digital transaction implementing blockchain technology. Learn Software Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. The security and transparency that is in inherently present in these sort of digital transactions place blockchain technology in high demand across various industrial applications. What is Blockchain Technology? [Explained] upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   Industrial Applications of Blockchain Technology: Banking Financial service demands high security and hackproof technologies. Blockchain fits right in. Cryptocurrencies will allow users to become bankers themselves, lending, borrowing, and exchanging money over a centralized, transparent, and secure framework. The currencies are not regulated by any central agencies. Blockchain technology eliminates the need of a middleman, decreasing chances of hacking, identity theft, and fraud. Every transaction can be digitally stored and verified. Since every transaction is verified, implementation of blockchain in financial institutions and Fintech companies can curb illegal activities such as money laundering. Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Blockchain Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Security Cybersecurity attacks and data breaches have been a cause of major concern for individuals. Often hackers steal sensitive information of users such as a PAN/Aadhar number to use it for fraudulent transactions. However, blockchain as mentioned above securely authenticates and authorizes the identity of a user without needing any sort of sensitive information. Even the user’s name is not required. Blockchain could play a major role in maintaining cybersecurity of digital transactions in the future. Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in DevOps  Charity Charity in the form of food, clothes, cash, vouchers etc. is vulnerable because they can be stolen. In many cases, it does not reach the intended recipients due to a corrupt administration. Blockchain technology can be implemented to keep an end-to-end digital flow of donated material from the donor to the recipient. The United Nations implemented an iris-based blockchain system in refugee camps in Jordan. Refugees pay for their purchases in supermarkets through iris scanning, which is then recorded in a blockchain platform. The UN gets full access to these transactions and is able to verify the identity of the person and ensures that the food reaches the intended people. This eliminates the need for the UN to deliver cash, vouchers, and supplies through middlemen. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses Education Deploying blockchain technologies in this sector can help verify the academic credentials of a student in a secure manner. Transcripts and related material could be uploaded to an online system which uses blockchain technology. Since it is centrally deployed it is accessible to all concerned party and is easily verifiable. Every modification is recorded and linked to a previous entry. Thus, a student cannot record incorrect/fraudulent data of unearned degrees since it will not pass the blockchain verification processes. Medical records This is an industry where blockchain can radically transform lives. If patient data is uploaded to a centralized server, doctors can access their patient’s real-time medical condition to make the most appropriate diagnoses. This allows timely, efficient, and cost-effective treatment saving lives. It can also help protect the medical records of patients. Applications of Blockchain in Healthcare In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Career opportunities in Blockchain: More and more industries are coming to realize the immense benefits of deploying a blockchain system. Thus, there is a sharp demand for professionals who have the knowledge to develop, manage, implement, and execute this technology. According to CNBC stats, blockchain developers and managers are the highest-paid professionals among software engineers comparable only to those working on Artificial Intelligence. The demand for software engineers is expected to maintain an astounding growth rate of 24% up till 2026. Hired, a talent recruitment firm for tech companies, says that there has been a 400 percent increase in demand for talents with blockchain skills in the past one year from its clients. It has been estimated that there are around 1,520 blockchain startups looking to hire experts in this technology. Accordingly, blockchain developers are paid premium salaries, ranging from $150,000 to $1,75,000 on a yearly average. Skillsets required for a blockchain engineer It is essential that professionals know to code in a variety of programming languages, such as Java, C, Python, NodeJs, Apis, database design skills, networking, SQL, .Net, Ajax, Agile Scrum, cryptography computing skills etc. Blockchain Technology Use Cases in the Banking Sector Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? What the future holds There is a tremendous demand for blockchain engineers in the market., Industries are recruiting software engineers with the requisite skills and knowledge to help them develop and implement this nascent technology. According to TechCrunch, there are 14 jobs in the market per blockchain engineer. This is an absurd ratio and the future in this field looks exceptionally bright for software engineers. Monetary benefits aside, this is a great opportunity for them to help implement technologies that will make the world a digitally-safer place to live in. If you are interested to create blockchain applications from scratch, check out upGrad & IIIT-B’s Executive Certification in Blockchain from IIITB.
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by Arjun Mathur

31 Jul'19