A Verifiable Multi-Signature Scheme for Secure and Auditable Supply Chain Tracking Systems

International Journal of Computer Science and Technology | Vol. 3, No. 2, February 2022 | pp. 9–16

Research Article

Title: A Verifiable Multi-Signature Scheme for Secure and Auditable Supply Chain Tracking Systems

Names of Authors: Marta Wisniewska¹, Jan Kowalski², and Piotr Nowak³

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
²Institute of Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
³Department of Cyber Security, AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland

Abstract: Global supply chains face escalating threats from product counterfeiting, regulatory non-compliance, and unauthorized cargo tampering during transit across international logistics hubs. Traditional database tracking mechanisms lack cross-organizational transparency, allowing malicious actors to alter shipping manifests or forge certification records. This paper introduces a cryptographically secure, auditable supply chain tracking protocol that utilizes a verifiable multi-signature scheme based on bilinear pairings. The proposed protocol compresses verification signatures from multiple transit entities—such as manufacturers, logistics firms, customs agents, and retailers—into a single, compact cryptographic proof string. This multi-signature proof is recorded directly onto a distributed ledger network, ensuring immutable tracking and non-repudiation without overloading ledger storage space. The system implements a threshold validation mechanism, requiring a minimum number of valid participant signatures before a product shipment updates its custody status on-chain. Cryptographic benchmarks show that signature generation requires 2.4 ms per participant, and the combined verification loop processes in under 5.1 ms. The security analysis demonstrates that the protocol achieves existential unforgeability under chosen-ciphertext conditions, providing a robust security framework for global tracking systems.

Keywords: Cryptographic protocols, Multi-signatures, Supply chain security, Distributed ledgers, Bilinear pairings, Data auditability

Manuscript Timeline: Received: November 12, 2021; Revised: December 18, 2021; Accepted: January 15, 2022定位; Published: February 1, 2022

Citation: Wisniewska, M., Kowalski, J., & Nowak, P. (2022). A verifiable multi-signature scheme for secure and auditable supply chain tracking systems. International Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 3(2), 9–16. DOI: 10.46882/2022/IJCST/000026

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