zkFL: zero-knowledge proof-based gradient aggregation for federated learning
File(s)zkFL_Zero-Knowledge_Proof-based_Gradient_Aggregation_for_Federated_Learning.pdf (2.35 MB)
Published online version
Author(s)
Wang, zhipeng
Dong, Nanqing
Sun, Jiahao
Knottenbelt, William
Guo, yike
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Federated learning (FL) is a machine learning paradigm, which enables multiple and decentralized clients to collaboratively train a model under the orchestration of a central aggregator. FL can be a scalable machine learning solution in big data scenarios. Traditional FL relies on the trust assumption of the central aggregator, which forms cohorts of clients honestly. However, a malicious aggregator, in reality, could abandon and replace the client's training models, or insert fake clients, to manipulate the final training results. In this work, we introduce zkFL , which leverages zero-knowledge proofs to tackle the issue of a malicious aggregator during the training model aggregation process. To guarantee the correct aggregation results, the aggregator provides a proof per round, demonstrating to the clients that the aggregator executes the intended behavior faithfully. To further reduce the verification cost of clients, we use blockchain to handle the proof in a zero-knowledge way, where miners ( i.e. , the participants validating and maintaining the blockchain data) can verify the proof without knowing the clients' local and aggregated models. The theoretical analysis and empirical results show that zkFL achieves better security and privacy than traditional FL, without modifying the underlying FL network structure or heavily compromising the training speed.
Date Issued
2024-05-20
Date Acceptance
2024-05-08
Citation
IEEE Transactions on Big Data, 2024
ISSN
2332-7790
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Transactions on Big Data
Copyright Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10535217
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2024-05-20