A blockchain is a permanent, sequential list of transaction records distributed over a network. Each block in the chain contains a hash of the previous block, along with a timestamp and transaction data. This makes the blockchain inherently resistant to attack or manipulation.

Blockchain technology is ideal for recording various types of transactions where data is sensitive or targeted by hackers for unauthorized duplication or other fraudulent activity. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology to record transactions. Blockchain for business applications can include recording of contracts, medical records, monetary transactions and much more.

Cryptography is the study and practice of securing private messages so that they can only be read by the intended parties. It involves encrypting and decrypting content using various methods and encryption keys. An unintended third party would not be able to understand the message without the proper key to decode it. Modern cryptography has grown to include many sub-fields of study such as data integrity and user authentication and is vital to ecommerce, banking and much more.

Get an introduction to blockchain with an online course from The Linux Foundation or Berkeley. Blockchain technology is growing in use and it’s essential to understand its core business uses and benefits. The courses are designed to help both technical and nontechnical audiences learn the key concepts behind hyperledger and blockchain, making clear the various enterprise applications. Learn about current hyperledger projects and business use cases and even get hands-on experience implementing basic blockchains.

Looking for blockchain online training? For students with advanced technical backgrounds, the Linux course offers the opportunity to work with enterprise-ready Hyperledger blockchain frameworks. Set up Hyperledger Sawtooth and Hyperledger Fabric and develop applications. The 8-week online course is free and open for anyone to enroll. Start your path to become a blockchain developer today.

Explore additional courses in network security, data management, cybersecurity and more on edX. Many courses are self-paced so you can enroll and start learning today.