Secure Topic Submission System (CYS Project)

A state-of-the-art secure platform designed for students to submit research topics confidentially and securely. This system integrates advanced cryptographic techniques including AES Encryption, RSA Digital Signatures, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and non-repudiation.

🚀 Key Features

• 🔒 Secure Authentication:
  • Students: Multi-Factor Authentication (Password + Email OTP).
  • Faculty/Admins: Secure Password Hashing (SHA-256 with Salt).
• 🛡️ Advanced Encryption:
  • Submissions are encrypted using AES-256 (CFB Mode).
  • Hybrid encryption model ensures efficient and secure data storage.
• ✍️ Digital Signatures & Integrity:
  • Every submission is signed using the student's unique RSA Private Key.
  • Ensures Non-Repudiation (students cannot deny their submission) and Tamper Detection.
• 🎫 Secure Receipts:
  • Students receive a tamper-evident cryptographic receipt upon submission.
  • Receipts are generated via SHA256(Topic + Hash + Timestamp + UserID).
• 👥 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
  • Student: Submit topics, View own history.
  • Teacher: View all topics, Verify signatures.
  • Admin: System management, Lock/Unlock submissions, User management.
• 🎨 Modern UI:
  • Futuristic "Cybersecurity Control Panel" aesthetic.
  • Built with React (Vite) and Tailwind CSS.

🛠️ Tech Stack

• Backend: Python (Flask)
• Frontend: React.js (Vite), Tailwind CSS, Framer Motion
• Database: SQLite (with encrypted fields)
• Cryptography: cryptography library (Python), SHA-256, AES-256, RSA-2048

📦 Installation & Setup

Follow these steps to get the project running locally.

Prerequisites

• Python 3.8+
• Node.js & npm

1. Backend Setup

1. Navigate to the project root directory:

   cd CYS

2. (Optional) Create and activate a virtual environment:

   python -m venv venv
   # Windows
   venv\Scripts\activate
   # Mac/Linux
   source venv/bin/activate

3. Install Python dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

4. Initialize the database (if needed):

   • The system should automatically initialize database/cys.db on the first run using database/schema.sql.

5. Start the Flask Server:

   python app.py

   • The backend will run at http://localhost:5000.

2. Frontend Setup

1. Open a new terminal and navigate to the frontend folder:

   cd CYS/frontend

2. Install Node dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the Development Server:

   npm run dev

   • The frontend will typically run at http://localhost:5173.

📖 Usage Guide

1. Register a User:

   • Open the web app.
   • Navigate to the Register page.
   • Create an account as a Student (default). Note: Admin/Teacher accounts may need manual creation or DB adjustment depending on configuration.

2. Student Workflow:

   • Log in (enter Email & Password -> enter OTP sent to email).
   • Go to Submit Topic.
   • Enter your topic details and submit.
   • View your Secure Receipt and submission status.

3. Teacher/Admin Workflow:

   • Log in.
   • Navigate to the Dashboard.
   • Teachers can view all encrypted topics and verify their digital signatures.
   • Admins can lock the system to prevent further submissions.

📂 Project Structure

• app.py: Main entry point for the Flask backend.
• auth/: Authentication logic (Login, Register, MFA).
• crypto/: Cryptographic modules (AES encryption, RSA keys, Hashing).
• database/: Database schema and connection logic.
• frontend/: React source code (Components, Pages, Tailwind config).
• rbac/: Role-Based Access Control logic (Permissions).
• routes/: API route definitions.
• services/: Business logic (Email service, Topic service).
• PRESENTATION_GUIDE.md: Detailed explanation of security features for presentation purposes.