Can BlockChain Technology Provide Information Systems with Trusted Database? The Case of HyperLedger Fabric

BlockChain technology has imposed a new perspective in the area of data management, i.e., the possibility of realizing immutable and distributed ledgers. Furthermore, the introduction of the concept of smart contract has further extended the potential applicability of this potentially disruptive technology. Although BlockChain was developed to support virtual currencies and is usually associated with them, novel platforms are under development, that are not at all related to the original application context. An example is HyperLedger Fabric. Developed by the Linux Foundation, it is aimed to provide information systems with distributed databases where the transaction log is immutable. This should ensure trusted cooperation among many parties. In this paper, we briefly present main concepts and functionalities provided by HyperLedger Fabric. We then discuss its potential applicability and current limitations.