IT asset management and auditing system and method based on block chain

Abstract

The invention discloses an IT asset management and auditing system and method based on a block chain. The IT asset management and auditing system based on the block chain comprises a registration module, a tracking module, an auditing module, a processing module and a block chain network. The registration module, the tracking module, the auditing module and the processing module are all connected with the block chain network; the tracking module is used for collecting asset position and use state data in real time; the auditing module is used for automatically comparing the registration information in the registration module with the tracking data in the tracking module, and checking the consistency of the actual state of the assets and the registration information and the compliance of the use of the assets; and the block chain network is used for storing blocks created by the modules and providing data query and traceability interfaces. The method can solve the problems that the asset state is not real-time, data can be tampered, the auditing efficiency is low, the disposal process is non-transparent, and the traceability is lacked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of information technology asset management, and in particular to a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system and method. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of enterprise digital transformation, the number of IT assets owned by organizations has grown rapidly, and traditional IT asset management systems face many challenges in practical applications.

[0003] Existing IT asset management systems typically use centralized databases to store asset information, lacking effective real-time tracking capabilities. This results in delayed updates on asset status. When IT equipment is moved or relocated, the records in the management system struggle to reflect the actual situation, causing inconsistencies between asset information and actual status, increasing the risk of asset loss.

[0004] Traditional systems are prone to data tampering. Administrators can modify asset records, but these modifications often lack effective verification mechanisms and complete operation logs, making it difficult for companies to hold those responsible accountable when asset anomalies occur.

[0005] Existing asset audit processes rely heavily on manual labor, which is inefficient and prone to errors. This is particularly true for license compliance checks on software assets, where traditional methods struggle to effectively identify unauthorized use, exposing enterprises to compliance risks.

[0006] In addition, there are weaknesses in the asset disposal process. The lack of a systematic disposal strategy and a transparent recording mechanism makes it difficult to ensure the compliance of the disposal process, increasing the risk of data leakage.

[0007] When multi-departmental collaboration is required to manage IT assets, traditional systems are unable to provide transparent and immutable records of the entire asset lifecycle. The resulting information silos reduce management efficiency and make it difficult to establish a unified asset view. Furthermore, existing technologies lack effective asset traceability, making it impossible to comprehensively record and track the complete history of assets, creating difficulties in accountability and security incident investigations. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to propose a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system and method, which can solve problems such as non-real-time asset status, data tampering, low audit efficiency, opaque disposal process and lack of traceability.

[0009] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system, comprising a registration module, a tracking module, an audit module, a disposal module, and a blockchain network;

[0010] The registration module, tracking module, audit module and disposal module are all connected to the blockchain network;

[0011] The tracking module is used to collect asset location and usage status data in real time;

[0012] The audit module is used to automatically compare the registration information in the registration module with the tracking data in the tracking module, and check the consistency between the actual status of the asset and the registration information and the compliance of the asset use;

[0013] The blockchain network is used to store blocks created by each module and provide data query and traceability interfaces.

[0014] Furthermore, the registration module includes a first information input unit, a first data verification unit, a first data encryption unit, a first block generation unit and a first blockchain broadcast unit; the first information input unit is connected to the first data verification unit, the first data verification unit is connected to the first data encryption unit, the first data encryption unit is connected to the first block generation unit, the first block generation unit is connected to the first blockchain broadcast unit, and the first blockchain broadcast unit is connected to the blockchain network.

[0015] Furthermore, the tracking module includes an Internet of Things device, a second data verification unit, a second data encryption unit, a second block generation unit and a second blockchain broadcasting unit; the Internet of Things device is used to collect the location and usage status data of the asset.

[0016] Furthermore, the audit module includes an audit process initiation unit, a smart contract comparison unit, a compliance check unit, an audit report generation unit, a third block generation unit and a third blockchain broadcast unit; the compliance check unit is configured to check whether software assets are installed with unauthorized licenses and whether hardware assets are used for unauthorized purposes.

[0017] Furthermore, the disposal module includes a second information input unit, a smart contract checking unit, a disposal execution unit, a fourth block generation unit and a fourth blockchain broadcasting unit; the smart contract checking unit is configured to check whether the disposal user is authorized, whether the disposal method is compliant and whether the disposal reason is reasonable.

[0018] Furthermore, the blockchain network uses a consensus mechanism to verify and store blocks.

[0019] In addition, the present invention also proposes a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing method, using the blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system described above, specifically including the following:

[0020] Use the registration module to input and verify asset information, generate asset blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network;

[0021] Use the tracking module to collect asset location and usage status data, generate transaction blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network;

[0022] Use the audit module to compare registration information and tracking data, check asset status consistency and usage compliance, generate audit blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network; and

[0023] Use the disposal module to input disposal information, check disposal compliance, execute disposal operations, generate disposal blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network.

[0024] Furthermore, the step of using the tracking module to collect asset location and usage status data includes: collecting asset location data through Internet of Things devices; collecting asset usage data through monitoring software; and regularly encrypting the collected data and broadcasting it through the blockchain network to achieve real-time updates of asset status.

[0025] Furthermore, the step of using the audit module to compare registration information and tracking data includes: starting the audit process regularly or on demand; retrieving asset registration information and tracking data from the blockchain network; checking whether the use of assets complies with regulations based on preset compliance rules; and generating an audit report including audit time, audit results and violation records.

[0026] Furthermore, the step of inputting disposal information using the disposal module includes: inputting the reason for asset disposal, disposal method and disposal date; automatically checking whether the disposal complies with preset regulations and whether the disposer has authority through the smart contract; executing the disposal operation and updating the asset status to scrapped, sold or transferred; and recording the disposal time and disposal user information on the blockchain.

[0027] Through the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] By integrating IT asset management systems with blockchain technology, distributed storage and immutable record keeping of asset information are achieved, significantly improving the transparency and security of asset management. The system utilizes a modular design encompassing registration, tracking, auditing, and disposal modules, covering the entire asset lifecycle, providing real-time visibility of asset status and traceability of historical operations. The blockchain-based storage mechanism ensures that once recorded, data cannot be unilaterally altered, effectively preventing the risk of asset record tampering. Furthermore, the traceability interface provided by the blockchain network makes asset history and accountability clearly traceable.

[0029] Furthermore, IoT devices in the tracking module collect real-time data on asset location and usage, enabling managers to monitor real-time asset dynamics and promptly identify unusual asset usage. The audit module automatically compares registration information and tracking data through smart contracts, improving audit efficiency and reducing human error. In particular, the compliance check unit effectively identifies unauthorized use of software and hardware assets, mitigating corporate compliance risks. The disposal module's smart contract checking functionality ensures the standardization and transparency of the asset disposal process, preventing unauthorized disposal operations and reducing the risk of asset loss and data leakage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing method in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following is a more detailed description of a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system and method of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown, and it should be understood that those skilled in the art may modify the invention described herein while still achieving the beneficial effects of the present invention. Therefore, the following description should be understood as a general guideline for those skilled in the art and not as a limitation of the present invention.

[0033] The following paragraphs describe the present invention in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description. It should be noted that the drawings are greatly simplified and not to exact scale, and are provided solely for the purpose of assisting in the description of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention proposes an IT asset management and auditing system based on blockchain, including a registration module, a tracking module, an audit module, a disposal module and a blockchain network.

[0035] Specifically, the registration module, tracking module, audit module, and disposal module are all connected to the blockchain network; the tracking module is used to collect real-time asset location and usage status data; the audit module is used to automatically compare the registration information in the registration module with the tracking data in the tracking module, and check the consistency between the actual asset status and the registration information, as well as the compliance of asset usage; the blockchain network is used to store the blocks created by each module and provide data query and traceability interfaces. This embodiment forms a complete asset management ecosystem. Each module can, for example, interact with the blockchain network through an API interface to achieve full lifecycle management of asset information registration, tracking, auditing, and disposal.

[0036] In one embodiment, the registration module includes a first information input unit, a first data verification unit, a first data encryption unit, a first block generation unit, and a first blockchain broadcast unit. Specifically, the first information input unit is connected to the first data verification unit, the first data verification unit is connected to the first data encryption unit, the first data encryption unit is connected to the first block generation unit, the first block generation unit is connected to the first blockchain broadcast unit, and the first blockchain broadcast unit is connected to the blockchain network. Data is transferred between the units through standardized interfaces to form a complete asset registration workflow. This design of multi-unit collaboration improves the standardization and security of asset registration. Through strict data verification, encrypted transmission and blockchain storage, the system ensures the safety and reliability of the entire process from asset information entry to storage, prevents unauthorized modification and data loss, and enhances the credibility of asset registration.

[0037] In one embodiment, the tracking module includes an Internet of Things device, a second data verification unit, a second data encryption unit, a second block generation unit, and a second blockchain broadcast unit. Specifically, the Internet of Things device includes a GPS tracker, an RFID scanner, a barcode scanner, or a QR code scanner for collecting asset location and usage status data. In this embodiment, through the real-time data collection function of the tracking module, managers can grasp the location information and usage status of IT assets at any time, improve the timeliness of asset monitoring, and reduce the risk of asset loss. The tracking module supports multiple data collection frequency settings and can be personalized according to the importance and movement frequency of the asset, which not only ensures real-time monitoring of key assets but also avoids excessive consumption of system resources.

[0038] In this embodiment, the audit module includes an audit process initiation unit, a smart contract comparison unit, a compliance check unit, an audit report generation unit, a third block generation unit, and a third blockchain broadcast unit. Specifically, the compliance check unit is configured to check whether software assets have unauthorized licenses installed and whether hardware assets are used for unauthorized purposes. The audit module transforms traditional manual audits into a process automatically executed by the system through automation and intelligent technology. Automating the audit process through smart contracts improves the timeliness and accuracy of audits, reduces manual intervention, and enhances the independence and credibility of audits. Compared to traditional manual audits, the system can complete more comprehensive inspections in a shorter time and detect subtle issues that are difficult for humans to detect, providing enterprises with more reliable asset compliance protection.

[0039] In one embodiment, the disposal module includes a second information input unit, a smart contract checking unit, a disposal execution unit, a fourth block generation unit, and a fourth blockchain broadcasting unit. The smart contract checking unit is configured to check whether the disposal user is authorized, whether the disposal method is compliant, and whether the disposal reason is reasonable. The disposal module ensures transparency, compliance, and traceability of the asset disposal process through automated and standardized processes.

[0040] Preferably, the blockchain network uses a consensus mechanism to verify and store blocks to ensure the immutability and traceability of data.

[0041] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment also proposes a blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing method, using the blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system as described above, specifically including the following steps:

[0042] S1. Use the registration module to input and verify asset information, generate asset blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network;

[0043] S2. Use the tracking module to collect asset location and usage status data, generate transaction blocks, and broadcast them to the blockchain network;

[0044] S3. Use the audit module to compare registration information and tracking data, check asset status consistency and usage compliance, generate audit blocks, and broadcast them to the blockchain network; and

[0045] S4. Use the disposal module to input disposal information, check disposal compliance, execute disposal operations, generate disposal blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network.

[0046] In step S2, the step of using the tracking module to collect asset location and usage status data includes: collecting asset location data through Internet of Things devices; collecting asset usage data through monitoring software; and regularly encrypting the collected data and broadcasting it through the blockchain network to achieve real-time updates of asset status.

[0047] In step S3, the step of comparing registration information and tracking data using the audit module includes: starting the audit process regularly or on demand; retrieving asset registration information and tracking data from the blockchain network; checking whether the use of assets complies with regulations according to preset compliance rules; and generating an audit report including audit time, audit results and violation records.

[0048] In step S4, the step of inputting disposal information using the disposal module includes: inputting the reason for asset disposal, disposal method and disposal date; automatically checking whether the disposal complies with preset regulations and whether the disposer has authority through the smart contract; executing the disposal operation and updating the asset status to scrapped, sold or transferred; and recording the disposal time and disposal user information on the blockchain.

[0049] In this implementation, the system builds a distributed ledger based on blockchain. Each functional module interacts with the blockchain network via an API, enabling full lifecycle management of asset information. When a new asset enters an enterprise, it is first processed by the registration module: a first information input unit collects asset information, a first data verification unit checks the data format and integrity, a first data encryption unit encrypts the data, a first block generation unit packages the data into blocks, and finally, a first blockchain broadcast unit broadcasts the blocks to all nodes in the network. After verification through a consensus mechanism, the blocks are added to the blockchain, forming the original record of the asset.

[0050] After asset registration, the tracking module begins real-time monitoring of the asset's status. IoT devices such as RFID readers and GPS trackers collect asset location data, while software agents monitor asset usage. This collected data is filtered and processed by a second data verification unit to ensure validity. It is then encrypted by a second data encryption unit. The second block generation unit and second blockchain broadcast unit generate transaction blocks and broadcast them to the network. The blockchain network stores this real-time status data in an unalterable manner, establishing a dynamic asset tracking record.

[0051] The audit module performs audits by comparing registration information and tracking data on the blockchain. When the audit process initiation unit triggers an audit, the smart contract comparison unit retrieves relevant data from the blockchain and automatically executes a comparison algorithm to identify inconsistencies. The compliance check unit verifies compliance with pre-set rules regarding the use of software and hardware assets, such as whether software license usage exceeds limits and whether hardware is used for authorized purposes. The audit report generation unit summarizes any identified issues and generates a report. The third block generation unit and the third blockchain broadcast unit then record the audit results on the blockchain. This automated audit eliminates manual intervention and improves audit accuracy and efficiency.

[0052] When assets need to be disposed of, the disposal module is responsible for executing standardized processes. Users submit disposal requests through the second information input unit, including the reason, method, and date. The smart contract verification unit automatically verifies the applicant's authority, the compliance of the disposal method, and the rationale for the disposal. For eligible requests, the disposal execution unit updates the asset status, generates a disposal certificate, and initiates data erasure procedures if necessary. Once the disposal is complete, the fourth block generation unit and the fourth blockchain broadcast unit store the disposal record on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and traceability of the disposal process.

[0053] The core of the entire system is the blockchain network, deployed across key enterprise departments using a distributed architecture. A consensus mechanism ensures data consistency and immutability. Every operation is permanently recorded on the blockchain, preventing unauthorized modification. Smart contracts automatically enforce business rules, ensuring standardized and consistent processes. The blockchain network provides an external API for data entry, query, and verification, while maintaining a complete, time-series record of asset history for full traceability.

[0054] In summary, the blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system and method proposed in this invention has the following advantages:

[0055] By integrating IT asset management systems with blockchain technology, distributed storage and immutable record keeping of asset information are achieved, significantly improving the transparency and security of asset management. The system utilizes a modular design encompassing registration, tracking, auditing, and disposal modules, covering the entire asset lifecycle, providing real-time visibility of asset status and traceability of historical operations. The blockchain-based storage mechanism ensures that once recorded, data cannot be unilaterally altered, effectively preventing the risk of asset record tampering. Furthermore, the traceability interface provided by the blockchain network makes asset history and accountability clearly traceable.

[0056] Furthermore, IoT devices in the tracking module collect real-time data on asset location and usage, enabling managers to monitor real-time asset dynamics and promptly identify unusual asset usage. The audit module automatically compares registration information and tracking data through smart contracts, improving audit efficiency and reducing human error. In particular, the compliance check unit effectively identifies unauthorized use of software and hardware assets, mitigating corporate compliance risks. The disposal module's smart contract checking functionality ensures the standardization and transparency of the asset disposal process, preventing unauthorized disposal operations and reducing the risk of asset loss and data leakage.

[0057] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system, characterized by: It includes registration module, tracking module, audit module, disposal module and blockchain network; The registration module, tracking module, audit module and disposal module are all connected to the blockchain network; The tracking module is used to collect asset location and usage status data in real time; The audit module is used to automatically compare the registration information in the registration module with the tracking data in the tracking module, and check the consistency between the actual status of the asset and the registration information and the compliance of the asset use; The blockchain network is used to store blocks created by each module and provide data query and traceability interfaces.

2. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The registration module includes a first information input unit, a first data verification unit, a first data encryption unit, a first block generation unit and a first blockchain broadcast unit; the first information input unit is connected to the first data verification unit, the first data verification unit is connected to the first data encryption unit, the first data encryption unit is connected to the first block generation unit, the first block generation unit is connected to the first blockchain broadcast unit, and the first blockchain broadcast unit is connected to the blockchain network.

3. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system according to claim 1, wherein: The tracking module includes an Internet of Things device, a second data verification unit, a second data encryption unit, a second block generation unit, and a second blockchain broadcasting unit; the Internet of Things device is used to collect the location and usage status data of the asset.

4. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system according to claim 1, wherein: The audit module includes an audit process startup unit, a smart contract comparison unit, a compliance check unit, an audit report generation unit, a third block generation unit and a third blockchain broadcast unit; the compliance check unit is configured to check whether software assets have unauthorized licenses installed and whether hardware assets are used for unauthorized purposes.

5. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system according to claim 1, wherein: The disposal module includes a second information input unit, a smart contract checking unit, a disposal execution unit, a fourth block generation unit and a fourth blockchain broadcasting unit; the smart contract checking unit is configured to check whether the disposal user is authorized, whether the disposal method is compliant and whether the disposal reason is reasonable.

6. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system according to claim 1, wherein: The blockchain network uses a consensus mechanism to verify and store blocks.

7. A blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing method, using the blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The details include: Use the registration module to input and verify asset information, generate asset blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network; Use the tracking module to collect asset location and usage status data, generate transaction blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network; Use the audit module to compare registration information and tracking data, check asset status consistency and usage compliance, generate audit blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network; as well as Use the disposal module to input disposal information, check disposal compliance, execute disposal operations, generate disposal blocks and broadcast them to the blockchain network.

8. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The steps of using the tracking module to collect asset location and usage status data include: collecting asset location data through Internet of Things devices; collecting asset usage data through monitoring software; and regularly encrypting the collected data and broadcasting it through the blockchain network to achieve real-time updates of asset status.

9. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing method according to claim 7, wherein: The steps of using the audit module to compare registration information and tracking data include: starting the audit process regularly or on demand; retrieving asset registration information and tracking data from the blockchain network; checking whether the use of assets complies with regulations based on preset compliance rules; and generating an audit report including audit time, audit results and violation records.

10. The blockchain-based IT asset management and auditing method according to claim 7, wherein: The steps of inputting disposal information using the disposal module include: inputting the reason for asset disposal, disposal method and disposal date; automatically checking whether the disposal complies with preset regulations and whether the disposer has authority through the smart contract; executing the disposal operation and updating the asset status to scrapped, sold or transferred; and recording the disposal time and disposal user information on the blockchain.

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