Various embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for using blockchains as an integrity tracking tool for network elements, the method including the steps of receiving, by a blockchain network, a patch request from a patch initiator, validating, by the blockchain network, the patch request and writing the patch request on the blockchain, transmitting, by the blockchain network, the patch request to a network element, receiving, by the blockchain network, a patch report from the network element, and validating, by the blockchain network, the patch report and writing the patch report on the blockchain.