Identity Verification Mechanisms for University Student Portals: A Systematic Review
Keywords:
Blockchain, Zero Trust, Student Portal, Verifiable Credentials, Decentralized Identifiers.Abstract
University student portals play a key role in academic administration across the world. Despite their role, their
exposure to vulnerabilities such as credential stealing, session hijacking, credential, and unauthorized access pose
security risks. Moreover, their dependence on perimeter-based security mechanisms deepens their insecurity. This
systematic literature review synthesizes 35 studies to scrutinize present student portal security features, find design
principles for blockchain enhanced Zero Trust models, and assess their effectiveness. Following PRISMA 2020
guidelines 5 databases: Web of science, Springer Link, ACM Digital Library, Wiley Online Library, and arXiv were
searched for papers published between 1st January,2020- 31st July ,2026.Thematic synthesis shows that existing
student portals depend on password-centred authentication with no continuous verification mechanisms leading to
key vulnerabilities. Despite that blockchain and Zero Trust amalgamation has yielded positive outcomes in the
environments such as minimization in attack resistance and anomaly detection, few studies show the combination in
a live setup. The review determines that models based on Hyperledger Fabric, Zero Trust principle, decentralized
identifiers, and verifiable credentials come out as one of the best security architectural design. However, a critical
research gap subsists in the lack of integrated blockchain ZTA solutions explicitly designed for student portal access
control.
References
Ahmed, S., & Patel, R. (2026). Faculty Acceptance of Blockchain Technology in Higher Education: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model Analysis. Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-026-14005-0
Al-Ramahi, M., et al. (2025). Zero Trust-Driven Access Control Delegation Using Blockchain. Blockchain: Research and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcra.2025.100319
Alzahrani, A., et al. (2021). A Systematic Literature Mapping on Secure Identity Management Using Blockchain Technology. Journal of King Saud University—Computer and Information Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksuci.2021.03.005
Buterin, V. (2014). Ethereum White Paper: A Next Generation Smart Contract and Decentralized Application Platform. arXiv preprint.
Chan, W., Gai, K., Yu, J., & Zhu, L. (2025). Blockchain-Assisted Self-Sovereign Identities on Education: A Survey. Blockchains, 3(1), 3.
Chen, Y., et al. (2024). Can Blockchain Decentralize Education? A Systematic Review of Challenges and Pathways. Software: Practice and Experience. Https://Doi.Org/10.1049/Sfw2/5556408
Dalal, A. (2025). Designing Zero Trust Security Models to Protect Distributed Networks. SSRN.
Ferreira, J., et al. (2022). Integrating an Academic Management System with Blockchain: A Case Study. Blockchain: Research and Applications. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Bcra.2022.100099
Gupta, R., et al. (2024). CredSec: A Blockchain-Based Secure Credential Management System for University Adoption. arXiv preprint.
Hassan, M., et al. (2025). Academic Certificate Fraud Detection by Web-Based Intelligent Access Control System: An Effective Role of Blockchain Technology. Journal of Information and Intelligence. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2025.100386
Hong, Q. N., et al. (2018). The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) Version 2018. Mixed Methods Research.
Kumar, A., & Singh, P. (2024). Blockchain Technologies: A Scrutiny into Hyperledger for Higher Educational Institutions. Procedia Computer Science. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Procs.2024.05.098
Lallie, H. S., et al. (2023). Understanding Cyber Threats Against the Universities, Colleges, and Schools. arXiv preprint.
Lyanda, J., & Raja, D. (2025). The Role of Online Learning Platforms in Transforming African Higher Education. Quality in African Higher Education.
Mahmood, S., et al. (2024). Counter-Measure Strategies to Address Cybersecurity Challenges in the Higher Education Sector. Information, 15(2), 106.
Martinez, C., et al. (2024). Blockchain for Academic Integrity: Developing the Blockchain Academic Credential Interoperability Protocol (BACIP). arXiv preprint.
Mazzocca, C., et al. (2025). A Survey on Decentralized Identifiers and Verifiable Credentials. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials.
Nakamoto, S. (2008). Bitcoin: A Peer-To-Peer Electronic Cash System. ACM Digital Library.
NIST. (2020). Zero Trust Architecture (SP 800-207). National Institute of Standards and Technology.
O'Connor, S., & Byrne, D. (2025). Identity-Bound Academic Credentials on Blockchain: On-chain Issuer Accreditation with ERC-3643 and OnchainID. arXiv preprint.
Ojiha, N., & Vaish, A. (2025). Why Perimeter Security is No Longer Enough. In Zero-Trust Learning (Pp. 305-328). Apple Academic Press.
Osunade, O., et al. (2024). A Usability Review of Undergraduate Student Web Portals at University of Ibadan. University of Ibadan Journal of Science and Logics in ICT Research, 12(1).
Page, M. J., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews. BMJ, 372, n71.
Pradhan, V., & Shah, P. (2025). A Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Blockchain Driven Identity Management Solutions for Enhancing Security and Transparency in Education. SN Computer Science, 6(8), 924.
Rahman, M., et al. (2025). Design and Development of a Blockchain-Enabled Decentralized Framework for Academic Microcredentials. Software: Practice and Experience. https://doi.org/10.1049/sfw2/7326873
Rahman, S., & Islam, M. (2026). Systematic Review of Blockchain Applications in the Education Sector of Bangladesh for Advancing SDG 4. Discover Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-02645-8
Silaghi, D. L., & Popescu, D. E. (2025). A Systematic Review of Blockchain-Based Initiatives in Comparison to Best Practices Used in Higher Education Institutions. Computers, 14(4), 141.
Singh, A., et al. (2024). ParikkhaChain: Blockchain-Based Result Processing and Privacy-Preserving Academic Record Management for the Complete Examination Lifecycle. arxiv Preprint.
Thompson, R., & White, J. (2024). Trust Zero - Open, Verifiable and Scalable Zero-Trust. arXiv Preprint.
Tran, L., et al. (2026). A Systematic Review on the Benefits, Challenges, and Applications of Blockchain Technology for E-Learning. Information Retrieval Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10791-026-10303-w
Wanjihia, M., et al. (2025). Analysis of Network Vulnerabilities and Attack Patterns in Kenyan Public University System. Journal of African Cybersecurity.
Williams, T., & Davis, K. (2023). Web 3.0 and A Decentralized Approach to Education. arXiv Preprint.
Zhang, Y., et al. (2023). Secure Sharing of University Data Using Hyperledger Fabric and IPFS System. Procedia Computer Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.09.024
