ZKP: Privacy and Security in Data Validation With Spheron Network

In the digital world, privacy and security have become paramount concerns. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with technology, the need to protect our personal information and maintain confidentiality has never been more urgent. Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) emerge as a powerful tool in this quest, offering a unique combination of security, privacy, and verifiability. These properties make ZKPs particularly attractive to blockchain technology, where transparency and security coexist. However, the limitations of blockchain technology have hindered its widespread adoption.

Here, Spheron Network comes into play, providing a decentralized infrastructure that supports the seamless integration of ZKPs into blockchain systems. In this article, we delve into the concept of ZKPs and explore how Spheron Network empowers its full potential, paving the way for a new generation of privacy-preserving applications. We discuss the benefits of integrating ZKPs into blockchain technology, the diverse range of applications that can leverage ZKPs, and the future prospects of this exciting field. Join us as we embark on this journey to discover the transformative power of ZKPs and the Spheron Network.

Spheron Network

One of the most important issues facing the developing field of decentralized applications (DApps) is locating reliable and efficient computational server hosting solutions. This difficulty becomes especially apparent when integrating and putting into practice cutting-edge cryptography protocols such as Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). ZKPs, praised for their capacity to maintain confidentiality and improve security, necessitate a substantial amount of computational power to generate and validate proofs. Nonetheless, because DApps are decentralized, a hosting solution must support the required processing power, decentralization, and security principles. This is where the importance of the Spheron Protocol becomes apparent.

Thanks to its decentralized infrastructure, Spheron is uniquely positioned to close this gap in the ZKP ecosystem. It provides a platform that accommodates the scalable and effective computational resources required for the intricate procedures involved in ZKP-based applications and supports the decentralized spirit of DApps. Developers can access a decentralized environment for computation-intensive tasks by utilizing Spheron’s infrastructure, a fundamental requirement for running ZKP applications efficiently.

A major step toward fulfilling the promise of true DApps is the integration of Spheron into the ZKP framework. It addresses the urgent need for a hosting solution to manage the complex calculations involved in ZKPs while adhering to the decentralized model. Combining ZKP systems processing requirements and Spheron’s decentralized hosting capabilities opens the door for a new wave of safe, secure, and genuinely decentralized applications.

1. Decentralized Infrastructure:

• Spheron provides a decentralized platform ideal for hosting ZKP Dapps. This type of infrastructure aligns well with the decentralized nature of ZKPs, ensuring that the applications remain consistent with the principles of decentralization and distributed trust.
• The decentralized aspect also enhances security, a critical factor for ZKP applications, by mitigating the risks associated with centralized points of failure.

2. Scalable Computational Resources:

• The proving process in ZKP Dapps is computationally intensive, requiring robust and scalable computing power. Spheron’s platform can dynamically allocate resources to meet these computational demands, offering scalability that adapts to the varying requirements of ZKP computations.
• For the verification process, which is less resource-intensive but still crucial, Spheron provides efficient computational resources to ensure rapid and accurate verification of proofs.

3. Rapid Deployment and Management:

• Spheron streamlines the deployment process of Dapps, which is beneficial for ZKP applications that may undergo frequent updates or iterations. Developers can deploy and update their ZKP Dapps efficiently on Spheron’s platform.
• This ease of deployment and management allows developers to focus more on the complexities of ZKP implementation rather than infrastructure-related concerns.

4. Enhanced Privacy and Security:

• Given the privacy-preserving nature of ZKP Dapps, Spheron’s decentralized infrastructure ensures that data and computations related to ZKPs are not centrally stored, thus enhancing privacy and security.
• The platform’s architecture inherently supports the confidentiality requirements of ZKP applications, aligning with their core objectives.

How to run a ZK Dapp on Spheron?

Prerequisites

To successfully follow this guide, you will need the following:

1. A DockerHub account.
2. Nodejs is installed on your local machine.
3. A text editor. You can use Visual Studio Code or your favorite text editor.

Step 1: Create a ZKP DApp

Hands-on: Your first ZK application! ( Link)

Step 2: Create a Dockerfile

Here’s what the docker file for your Remix app will look like:

# Use an official Node.js runtime as the base image
FROM node:18-alpine

# Set the working directory in the container
WORKDIR /usr

# Copy the package.json and package-lock.json files to the container
COPY package*.json ./

# Install dependencies
RUN npm install

# Copy the app's source code to the container
COPY . .

# Expose the port that Remix runs on
EXPOSE 3000

# Run the Remix app
CMD ["npm", "run", "dev"]

Step 3: Set the default platform for the docker build

Docker images built with Apple Silicon (or another ARM64-based architecture) can create issues when deploying the images to a Linux or Windows-based AMD64 environment. Before running the docker build command, run this command in your terminal:

export DOCKER_DEFAULT_PLATFORM=linux/amd64

Step 4: Build a Docker image

To build the Docker image:

1. Save the above Dockerfile in the root directory of your Remix app.
2. Open a terminal and navigate to the root directory of your project, where the Dockerfile is located.
3. Run the following command to build the Docker image:

docker build -t remix-app .

4. After the build process completes, you can run a container based on the image using the following command:

docker run -p 3000:3000 remix-app

Step 5: Push the app to DockerHub

To push an image, you must create a repository on Docker Hub.

Create a repo

To create a repository on Docker Hub:

1. Sign up or Sign in to Docker Hub.
2. Select the Create Repository button.
3. For the repo name, use remix-app. Make sure the Visibility is Public.
4. Select the Create button.

Push the image

1. Log in to the Docker Hub using the command: docker login -u YOUR-USER-NAME.
2. Use the docker tag command to give the remix-app image a new name. Be sure to swap out YOUR-USER-NAME with your Docker ID.

docker tag remix-app YOUR-USER-NAME/remix-app

3. Now, try your push command again. If copying the value from Docker Hub, you can drop the tag-name portion, as you didn’t add a tag to the image name. If you don’t specify a tag, Docker will use the latest tag.

docker push YOUR-USER-NAME/remix-app

Step 6: Run on Spheron Compute

To run your app on Spheron:

1. Click “New Cluster” on the top right corner.
2. Choose “Compute” to use CPU-based instances for running containers.
3. Choose your desired Compute Type option under Compute Type.
4. Select Import from Docker Hub.
5. Enter the names for your cluster and docker image.
6. Then, Add the tag and Click “Next.”
7. Select your preferred Region, if any. If you do not add a region, the container will be deployed in any region for Spot or in the eu-east region for On Demand. Click here to know more.
8. Spheron will automatically select the recommended plan for the specific template. If you intend to move forward with the recommended plan, Create a new Port Policy Mapping and Click “Deploy” to initiate deployment.
9. Select the instance plan that suits your needs. You can use the “Create Custom Plan” toggle to create custom plans for your CPU-based instance.
10. Configure the Storage (SSD) plan for your instance. Use the “Add Persistent Storage” toggle to add persistent storage for your instance.
11. Create new Port Policy Mapping. Add the container port, and Select the exposed port to which you want to map it. Click here to know more.
12. Add Environment Variable, if any.
13. Add a Secret Environment Variable if the value is a secret key. It will not be saved in the database. Click here to know more.
14. You can add advanced configuration if required. Click here to know more.
15. You can add a health checkup if required. Click here to know more.
16. Click “Deploy” to initiate deployment.

NOTE: Spheron supports only public docker images at the moment.

Verify Installation

The ZK DApp can be accessed only after the Compute Instance is provisioned. Thus, you must wait for the installation to complete before using the app. Your Apps can be verified for successful installation using the instructions below, while others may require different procedures.

Follow these instructions to verify the installation:

1. Attempt to access the app: An App has an estimated deployment time of 1–2 minutes. If you can successfully access it, the installation has been completed successfully. You can connect using the connection URL of the instance, which will also be provided after the instance is provisioned.
2. Check instance logs and events: After successfully deploying your ZK DApp, it will produce logs and events, which you can check for any issues or errors.

User Base

Zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) applications have gained popularity across various industries due to their unique ability to confirm the authenticity of information while ensuring privacy and security. Developers and businesses in the blockchain and cryptocurrency frequently utilize ZKPs to create private digital currencies and secure smart contract operations. Financial institutions use ZKP technology to facilitate private transactions while ensuring compliance with strict privacy regulations such as GDPR and KYC standards. Similarly, the healthcare industry relies on ZKPs to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive medical records and verification procedures.

Supply chain industries use ZKPs to ensure transparency and traceability while protecting supplier information and trade secrets. Governments and administrative bodies in the public sector are exploring ZKPs for uses such as identity verification and secure voting systems to enhance the integrity of public services. Moreover, academic and research communities are actively involved in developing and improving ZKP applications, which has greatly contributed to advancing and adopting this technology. This broad range of applications highlights the growing recognition of ZKPs as a crucial resource for secure, efficient, and private digital interactions in various contexts.

Target audience for Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) application

1. Blockchain Developers and Companies: One of the primary target groups is blockchain developers and organizations involved in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. ZKPs offer them a way to create privacy-enhanced transactions and smart contracts, which is a significant advancement over traditional blockchain transactions that are public by default.
2. Financial Institutions and Fintech Companies: Banks, fintech startups, and financial service providers are increasingly interested in ZKP applications for secure, private financial transactions. This interest is driven by the need to comply with privacy regulations like GDPR and the demand for enhanced transaction security.
3. Healthcare Industry: Healthcare providers, researchers, and related entities are part of the target audience due to the potential of ZKPs in handling sensitive patient data. They can benefit from ZKPs to share and analyze medical data while ensuring patient privacy and compliance with health data regulations.
4. Government and Public Sector Entities: Government bodies looking to improve their digital services, particularly in areas like identity verification, voting systems, and public record management, are a key audience. ZKPs can help create more secure and private systems for public service delivery.
5. Cybersecurity Firms: Companies specializing in cybersecurity solutions are also a significant part of the target audience. They can integrate ZKP into their security offerings to enhance data privacy and secure authentication methods.
6. Supply Chain Management: Businesses in the supply chain and logistics sector aiming to improve transparency and authenticity while protecting sensitive data find ZKPs particularly useful.
7. Academic and Research Institutions: Researchers and academics focusing on cryptography, data security, and blockchain technology are also part of the target audience. They contribute to developing and advancing ZKP applications through research and innovation.
8. Privacy-Conscious Consumers and Organizations: With growing concerns over data privacy, any entity or individual prioritizing privacy in digital transactions and communications forms part of the target audience for ZKP application development.

Popularity Among Developers

Developers are noticing Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) Dapps, especially those working on blockchain, privacy-focused apps, and cybersecurity solutions. The distinctive potential of ZKPs to improve security and privacy in digital transactions is what’s generating this growing interest. ZKP Dapps are particularly appealing to blockchain developers because they can execute private transactions on public ledgers, which solves one of the main privacy issues with blockchain technology. ZKPs are being used by developers in the fintech industry to produce secure financial solutions that adhere to strict data protection laws.

Future Prospects

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are becoming increasingly important in developing blockchain technology. They balance the transparency of blockchain with the need for privacy in digital transactions. ZKPs allow users to verify transactions on a blockchain without revealing any underlying private data. One of the biggest challenges facing modern blockchain systems is ensuring privacy while guaranteeing the accuracy and verifiability of transactions on a public ledger. ZKPs solve this issue. They have the potential to transform blockchain technology in numerous ways.

ZKPs enable effective data compression techniques, significantly improving scalability and mitigating data bloat in various blockchain networks. Additionally, ZKPs permit the creation of more sophisticated and privacy-preserving financial instruments, expected to accelerate the development of Decentralized Finance (DeFi). By enabling safe, private, and verifiable data sharing, ZKPs can revolutionize industries beyond finance, including healthcare, supply chain management, and digital identity verification. As research and development into ZKPs progresses, they are expected to become a key component of the blockchain and decentralized system landscape, leading to wider adoption and more creative use cases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) have emerged as a groundbreaking solution in cryptography, offering a unique blend of verifiability, security, and privacy that is becoming increasingly vital in today’s digital age. From its theoretical roots to practical implementations, ZKPs have shown tremendous potential, particularly in blockchain technology. By allowing for the validation of transactions and interactions without revealing underlying data, ZKPs effectively address pressing privacy concerns intrinsic to blockchain systems. The diversity of ZKP systems, such as SNARKs, STARKs, and Bulletproofs, highlights the versatility and adaptability of this technology across various use cases and requirements.

Spheron Network, committed to providing a decentralized infrastructure, plays a critical role in fostering the growth and adoption of ZKPs. By supporting the development and deployment of ZKP-based applications, Spheron empowers individuals and organizations to harness the power of privacy-preserving technologies, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure digital ecosystem. As such, the collaboration between ZKPs and the Spheron Network holds immense promise for revolutionizing how we interact and conduct transactions in the digital realm and developing new dapps and platforms.

Originally published at https://blog.spheron.network on December 29, 2023.