How can I implement a decentralized file storage system for club documentation using IPFS or Arweave

How can I implement a decentralized file storage system for club documentation using IPFS or Arweave? Any suggestions on securing access controls

You can use IPFS or Arweave to build a decentralized storage solution for club documentation. Both platforms have their strengths:

Feature IPFS Arweave

Storage Type Temporary (unless pinned) Permanent by default Cost Free (with pinning needed) Pay once for permanent storage Access CID (hash) Transaction ID (permaweb URL) Mutability Mutable via IPNS Immutable

✅ Basic File Upload

Using IPFS (JS example)

import { create } from 'ipfs-http-client';

const ipfs = create({ url: 'https://ipfs.infura.io:5001/api/v0' });

const added = await ipfs.add(fileBuffer); console.log('CID:', added.path);

Using Arweave

import Arweave from 'arweave';

const arweave = Arweave.init({ host: 'arweave.net', port: 443, protocol: 'https' });

const tx = await arweave.createTransaction({ data: fileBuffer }, key); tx.addTag('Content-Type', 'application/pdf');

await arweave.transactions.sign(tx, key); await arweave.transactions.post(tx);

console.log('Transaction ID:', tx.id);

🔐 Securing Access Controls

Since both IPFS and Arweave are public, you'll need to implement encryption.

1. Encrypt Before Uploading

Use AES to encrypt files before uploading.

import CryptoJS from 'crypto-js';

const encrypted = CryptoJS.AES.encrypt(fileContent, 'your-secret-key').toString();

Decrypt after download:

const decrypted = CryptoJS.AES.decrypt(encrypted, 'your-secret-key').toString(CryptoJS.enc.Utf8);

2. Use IPNS (for IPFS)

If you want to provide a mutable pointer (e.g., to update docs), publish via IPNS and manage access through a front-end.

3. On-chain or Third-party ACL

Use smart contracts or Lit Protocol for:

Role-based decryption

Wallet-bound permissions (e.g., only club admins can decrypt)

🧩 Architecture Overview

User ↓ Web Frontend (React/Next) ↓ Encrypt Document ↓ Upload to IPFS or Arweave ↓ Store CID/TxID in smart contract or database ↓ Allow only authorized users to decrypt

✅ Summary

Task Tool / Method

Store document: IPFS or Arweave

Restrict access: AES encryption

Provide mutability: IPNS (IPFS only)

Permission management: Lit Protocol or smart contract