IBM (NYSE: IBM) is set to create a database management system based on the blockchain technology, according to a newly published patent application.
The software described in the application is part of IBM's global project to develop a robust database with an intrusion detection system (IDT-DS). This system will record discrepancies between the data kept in the central database and a partial copy of the same data on the blockchain.
As indicated in the patent application, the database management system (DBMS) can work with both the central database and the blockchain system. In order to access the whole system, the user will need to send a request to DBMS. After that, any used databases will be opened for administration.
IBM sent a patent application to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in December last year. For the year 2018, the department has already issued six distributed ledger technology-related patents.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
IBM's focus on creating DBMS with the blockchain support is expected as the company has to work with a lot of confidential data necessary for the operation of various services. In addition, IBM regards blockchain as a means of forming a new generation of accountable and transparent applications for transactions that can be trusted.
The technology giant previously represented IBM D2 solution, which included a whole range of products: DBMS, operating database, data warehouse, a tool for fast data processing and data lake. The introduction of blockchain into this solution would help to cope with a number of problems, including inconsistency of data and security gaps.
Earlier in July, IBM Corporation became a technology partner of the Australian Government in projects requiring blockchain applications. The parties signed a five-year cooperation agreement worth one billion Australian dollars ($740ml).