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Blockchain-Based Zero Trust Threat Detection Framework for the Finance Industry Network

Daah, Clement
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Supervisor
Awan, Irfan
Qureshi, Amna
Konur, Savas
Keywords
Network security, Zero Trust, Blockchain, Financial networks, Network simulation, Hybrid access control, Threat detection, Cybersecurity
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Creative Commons License
The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.
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Accepted for publication
Institution
University of Bradford
Department
School of Computer Science, AI and Electronics. Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies
Awarded
2025
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PhD Thesis
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An investigation into the use of blockchain technology to enhance Zero Trust in financial networks through design, implementation, and validation of a framework for advanced security and regulatory compliance
Abstract
The rapid evolution of cyber threats has made perimeter-based security models inadequate, especially in the financial sector, where data integrity, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance are critical. Despite advances, existing frameworks like Zero Trust still face challenges such as centralised trust mechanisms and limited resilience against insider threats and APTs. This research addresses these gaps by integrating blockchain technology into the Zero Trust model, proposing a novel Zero Trust Blockchain (ZTB) framework. The ZTB framework introduces decentralised verification, immutable audit trails, and a hybrid access control system, significantly enhancing security and trust in financial networks. The study adopts a multi-phased methodology. A prototype banking application was developed to evaluate the performance of the foundational Zero Trust (FZT) framework, focusing on identity and access management (IAM), network security, and data protection. The results demonstrated resilience to common threats such as SQL injection and brute-force attacks. To address the limitations of Zero Trust, the ZTB framework was designed and validated using OMNeT++ simulations under three configurations: Traditional, FZT, and ZTB networks. Simulated attack scenarios, including MITM, DDoS, and insider threats, revealed that the ZTB framework achieved superior detection accuracy (96%), improved data integrity, and minimised false positives and negatives, despite minor trade-offs in latency and scalability. This research contributes to the cybersecurity literature by presenting ZTB as a transformative solution, combining Zero Trust principles with blockchain’s unique capabilities. By addressing identified gaps and aligning with regulatory standards, the ZTB framework offers a robust and transparent approach to securing financial networks.
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https://bradscholars.brad.ac.uk/handle/10454/20964
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PhD
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