By: Vanna karthik; Vel Tech University, Chennai, India
Abstract
IoT technology has transformed our relationship with computers through automated communication systems that unite various business sectors. The quick expansion of IoT devices created substantial security concerns which mainly appear in supply chain operations. The IoT supply chain operates as a complicated system that incorporates manufacturing companies together with vendors and service providers who construct and deploy IoT devices. Security measures protecting both sensitive data confidentiality and user trust fully depend on the integrity of this connected chain. This research paper examines how trust relationships function in IoT supply chains even though it exposes several security risks and presents ways to enhance protection. A resilient IoT security perspective emerges through fundamental security protection and stakeholder collaboration and adherence to industry standards to establish trust in the IoT platform.
Introduction
Millions of devices now function throughout the world since the Internet of Things (IoT) established itself as a vital element in modern life. IoT revolutionized several industries by establishing real-time data communication and automation with its introduction of smart homes and industrial automation and healthcare systems as well as wearable devices. Devices that connect to the IoT generate important security dangers, particularly through weaknesses throughout the IoT supply chain[1]. The IoT supply chain supports devices throughout their complete life span that includes production time and every distribution stage and installation deployment phase. The various life stages of the process contain specific security risks that criminal actors can capitalize on. To protect IoT devices and their handled data the IoT supply chain must be secured with proper measures.
Understanding the IoT Supply Chain
Stakeholders in IoT supply chains include manufacturers of hardware items and software developers and suppliers of components as well as distributors and service providers. All entities take part in crucial stages for IoT device production and release[2]. Because the infrastructure is complex it exposes several potential weaknesses. Any security failure in a supply chain component or software library will negatively affect the entire system security despite the original integration point. Multiple security issues arise because the international IoT supply chain relies on distant manufacturers through numerous third-party vendors.
Vulnerabilities in the IoT Supply Chain[3]
Counterfeit Components: IoT devices become susceptible to vulnerabilities when operators use inferior components and fake parts in their systems. Security features are missing from these components because such components often include malicious code modifications.
Supply chains for IoT frequently operate without transparency so component origins become difficult to detect and authenticate their sources
Insecure Software: Third-party software libraries together with firmware updates become vulnerable sources because of their inadequate vetting processes.
Insider Threats: The supply chain contains internal characters who exploit their position to embed device weaknesses or remove important data.
Inadequate Testing: Security tests performed insufficiently during product development and manufacturing expose devices to possible attacks
The Chain of Trust Concept[4]
The “chain of trust” security model proves the authenticity and keeps the integrity of all components and processes throughout IoT supply chain operations. The model sets an inspection system that provides credibility validation for each supply chain participant. Each linking element begins its trustworthiness assessment during design then continues through the entire manufacturing procedure until reaching the stage of distribution and deployment. The chain of trust contains essential components that consist of
Secure Boot: The device operates with software that must be both authenticated and authorized by its systems.
Cryptographic Signing: A digital signature verification process checks the authenticity of software and firmware update authentication.
Hardware-Based Security: The security system protects data through trusted platform modules (TPMs) and hardware security modules (HSMs).
Supply Chain Audits: Security checks along with risk assessments need to be performed regularly to find hazards within supply chain systems.
Strategies for Securing the IoT Supply Chain
The secure implementation of an IoT supply chain needs complete cooperation between producers along with vendors and service organizations as stakeholders. Security risks can be reduced through mutual information sharing of threats and best practice documents.
Adherence to Industry Standards: Organizations applying ISO/IEC 27001 standards and NIST Cybersecurity Framework standards create foundational security measures for their operations[5].
Every component and process must be verified through Zero Trust Architecture without any consideration of their source.
Continuous Monitoring and Testing: Security assessments combined with penetration tests and vulnerability scans enable supply chain administrators to locate system flaws which then receive immediate solutions[6].
Blockchain Technology: The supply chain’s transparency gets improved through blockchain technology because it creates an unalterable transaction register that tracks product origins[5].
The Role of Governments and Regulatory Bodies
The security of IoT supply chains depends heavily on the governments together with their regulatory bodies. Security regulations both established and enforced through government institutions motivate organizations to place security at higher priority. The European Union has established the Cybersecurity Act while the U.S. introduced the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act which serve as guidelines to protect IoT devices and supply chains. Through public-private collaborations the supply chain security challenges receive improved management along with beneficial innovation opportunities.
Conclusion
Because of its intricate nature and lack of openness the IoT supply chain remains highly vulnerable to cybercrime attacks which threaten the entire global IoT network. A secure chain of trust becomes possible through organizational collaborations with observance to industry benchmarks along with comprehensive security system execution. Supply chain security priority leads to risk reduction and data protection which enables lasting success of IoT technologies. The continued growth of IoT needs supply chain security to be its foundation for establishing digital trust and resilience in modern technology.
References
- M. Hussain et al., “Blockchain-Based IoT Devices in Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review,” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 24, Art. no. 24, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.3390/su132413646.
- R. Vijayapriya, S. L. Arun, K. Vengatesan, and S. Samee, “Smart manufacturing supply chain process strategy using intelligent computation techniques,” Int. J. Interact. Des. Manuf. IJIDeM, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 681–694, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.1007/s12008-024-01836-9.
- C.-M. Mathas, C. Vassilakis, N. Kolokotronis, C. C. Zarakovitis, and M.-A. Kourtis, “On the Design of IoT Security: Analysis of Software Vulnerabilities for Smart Grids,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 10, Art. no. 10, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.3390/en14102818.
- S. Brightwood, “The Importance of Secure Firmware Updates in Maintaining System Integrity”.
- A. Gurtu and J. Johny, “Supply Chain Risk Management: Literature Review,” Risks, vol. 9, no. 1, Art. no. 1, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.3390/risks9010016.
- Y. Khan, M. B. M. Su’ud, M. M. Alam, S. F. Ahmad, A. Y. A. B. Ahmad (Ayassrah), and N. Khan, “Application of Internet of Things (IoT) in Sustainable Supply Chain Management,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 1, Art. no. 1, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.3390/su15010694.
- H. Wijayanto, M. J. Andara, D. Wiraguna, N. Agitha, and M. Rahaman, “Blockchain-based supply chain solution using IPFS and QR technology for traditional weave in West Nusa Tenggara,” JURNAL INFOTEL, vol. 16, no. 4, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.20895/infotel.v16i4.1195.
- M. Rahaman, V. Arya, S. M. Orozco, and P. Pappachan, “Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC) protocols and privacy,” in Advances in information security, privacy, and ethics book series, 2024, pp. 190–214. doi: 10.4018/979-8-3693-5330-1.ch008.
- Singh, A., & Gupta, B. B. (2022). Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and defense mechanisms in various web-enabled computing platforms: issues, challenges, and future research directions. International Journal on Semantic Web and Information Systems (IJSWIS), 18(1), 1-43.
- AlZu’bi, S., Shehab, M., Al-Ayyoub, M., Jararweh, Y., & Gupta, B. (2020). Parallel implementation for 3d medical volume fuzzy segmentation. Pattern Recognition Letters, 130, 312-318.
- Kee S.N. (2024) Detecting and Preventing Phishing Attacks in IoT-Based Smart Healthcare Systems, Insights2Techinfo, pp.1
Cite As
Karthik V. (2025) The chain of Trust : Securing IoT in Supply Chain, Insights2techinfo pp.1