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Blockchain-Based Services Implemented in a Microservices Architecture Using a Trusted Platform Module Applied to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio J. Cabrera-Gutiérrez

    (Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1–15, 85579 Neubiberg, Germany
    Department of Electronics and Computer Technology, University of Granada, Avda. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Encarnación Castillo

    (Department of Electronics and Computer Technology, University of Granada, Avda. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Antonio Escobar-Molero

    (Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1–15, 85579 Neubiberg, Germany)

  • Juan Cruz-Cozar

    (Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1–15, 85579 Neubiberg, Germany
    Department of Electronics and Computer Technology, University of Granada, Avda. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Diego P. Morales

    (Department of Electronics and Computer Technology, University of Granada, Avda. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Luis Parrilla

    (Department of Electronics and Computer Technology, University of Granada, Avda. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

Microservice architectures exploit container-based virtualized services, which rarely use hardware-based cryptography. A trusted platform module (TPM) offers a hardware root for trust in services that makes use of cryptographic operations. The virtualization of this hardware module offers high usability for other types of service that require TPM functionalities. This paper proposes the design of TPM virtualization in a container. To ensure integrity, different mechanisms, such as attestation and sealing, have been developed for the binaries and libraries stored in the container volumes. Through a REST API, the container offers the functionalities of a TPM, such as key generation and signing. To prevent unauthorized access to the container, this article proposes an authentication mechanism based on tokens issued by the Cognito Amazon Web Service. As a proof of concept and applicability in industry, a use case for electric vehicle charging stations using a microservice-based architecture is proposed. Using the EOS.IO blockchain to maintain a copy of the data, the virtualized TPM microservice provides the cryptographic operations necessary for blockchain transactions. Through a two-factor authentication mechanism, users can access the data. This scenario shows the potential of using blockchain technologies in microservice-based architectures, where microservices such as the virtualized TPM fill a security gap in these architectures.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio J. Cabrera-Gutiérrez & Encarnación Castillo & Antonio Escobar-Molero & Juan Cruz-Cozar & Diego P. Morales & Luis Parrilla, 2023. "Blockchain-Based Services Implemented in a Microservices Architecture Using a Trusted Platform Module Applied to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:11:p:4285-:d:1154189
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maurizio Talamo & Franco Arcieri & Andrea Dimitri & Christian H. Schunck, 2020. "A Blockchain based PKI Validation System based on Rare Events Management," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Andoni, Merlinda & Robu, Valentin & Flynn, David & Abram, Simone & Geach, Dale & Jenkins, David & McCallum, Peter & Peacock, Andrew, 2019. "Blockchain technology in the energy sector: A systematic review of challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 143-174.
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