Development of Cloud-Based e-Learning Repository using SHA-256 Cryptographic Hashing Algorithm

The advancement of information and communication technologies has transformed education through e-learning platforms, a shift accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. At Babcock University, the absence of a centralized repository hampers efficient access to learning materials. To address this, a Cloud-based eLearning repository was developed using the SHA-256 cryptographic hashing algorithm for enhanced security. The system, designed with Unified Modeling Language and Agile methodology, employed HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the front-end, PHP for the back-end, MySQL for authentication data, and Firebase for storing academic resources. Database stress tests exhibited stability and delivered satisfactory performance despite heavy data insertion, with execution times of 749 seconds for sequential reads, 308 seconds for sequential writes, 947 seconds for random reads, and 209 seconds for random writes. SHA-256 delivered strong results, averaging 11.8 cycles per byte and 1653 megabytes per second in throughput, which significantly enhances the security and reliability of the Cloud-based eLearning repository. The developed system demonstrated effectiveness in facilitating the process of making available course materials to students within the Babcock University community. Feedback from users highlights a generally positive experience with the system, emphasizing its ease of use and convenience.