Data authentication in distributed networks

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a computer-implemented method for authenticating data in a distributed network. The distributed network comprises at least one application subnet. The application subnet comprises a plurality of nodes and each of the plurality of nodes is configured to run one or more computational units. The computational units are configured to execute computations in a deterministic and replicated manner across the application subnet. The method comprises steps of regularly computing, by the plurality of nodes of the application subnet, a digest of an application subnet accumulator. The application subnet accumulator comprises for each of the computational units of a respective application subnet an assigned accumulator element as unit variable. The method comprises further steps of regularly executing, by the nodes of the application subnet, a joint signature on the digest of the application subnet accumulator, thereby producing an application subnet certificate. Further aspects relate to a distributed network, a node of a distributed network and a corresponding computer program products.