By: Gonipalli Bharath, Vel Tech University, Chennai, India, International Center for AI and Cyber Security Research and Innovations, Asia University, Taiwan; gonipallibharath@gmail.com
Abstract:
IoT- Internet of things has changed the way physical devices connect over the internet. And this connected ecosystem opens up a wide view for security breaches that will surely raise many questions about data integrity, privacy, and device authentication. The article explores how blockchain enhances IoT security by presenting insights from recent research and methodologies to integrate these technologies effectively. Blockchain, with its decentralized and tamper-resistant structure, offers promising solutions to address these challenges.
Introduction:
IoT- Internet of things has become the cornerstone for modern technological advancement by making devices intercommunicative in all fields, This allows us to express the idea of a variety of different things from healthcare to smart cities and industrial automation. The rapid proliferation of IoT devices greatly multiplies the security challenges faced. Challenges rise from centralized control, limited computation capacity of devices, and insecure communication channels. Based on its foundation of distributed ledger technology (It is a digital system for recording the transaction of assets in which the transactions and their details are recorded in multiple places at the same time), cryptographic functions (digital signature algorithms or message authentication codes), blockchain, therefore, provides a framework that could help to support IoT networks against malicious attacks. This article is designed to study the relationship between blockchain and IoT, based on benefits, challenges, and practical applications of blockchain in enhancing IoT security.
Methodology:
The methodology of the research study systematically reviews existing literature, performs a comparative analysis, and also develops a conceptual framework of integrating blockchain in IoT systems.
- Key steps include the following:
Key IoT security challenges identification through case studies and industry reports.
- Characteristics of blockchain analysed:
decentralization, immutability, and smart contracts.
- Blockchain solutions mapping to IoT vulnerabilities in a tabular format. Presentation of a scalable model for blockchain-based IoT networks.
The table below provides the applications of blockchain in addressing IoT security challenges:
IoT Security Challenges | Blockchain Features | Example Use Cases |
Device Authentication | Cryptographic Identity Management | Secure access control for smart homes |
Data Integrity and Privacy | Immutable Ledger | Tamper-proof healthcare records |
Centralized attack risks | Decentralization | Resilient industrial IoT networks |
Unauthorized Operations | Smart Contracts | Automated vehicle-to-vehicle communication |
Scalability challenges | Lightweight Protocols | IoT-based chain management |
Literature Review:
Blockchain and IoT integration has recently gained significant attention among academics and industries. Several researchers indicate the potentiality of blockchain in mitigating various IoT security issues. Among them, the main conclusions are:
Device Authentication and Identity Management:
Blockchain keeps the identity verification of IoT devices secure by generating unique cryptographic keys [[1]]. For instance,( Sabrina, Li, and Sohail, “A Blockchain Based Secure IoT System Using Device Identity Management.”) It indicated how blockchain-based identity systems reduce impersonation risks in IoT networks.
Data Integrity and Privacy:
Traditional IoT systems rely on centralized databases, which are prone to failure due to single-point failure. The immutable blockchain ledger records transactions in transparent ways that prohibit unauthorized alteration of data[[2]] . A recent study by Khan depicted a 40% decrease in data breach incidents by integrating blockchain in IoT networks[[3]].
Decentralized Decision-Making:
The smart contracts used in blockchains provide tamper-proof, automatic executions that would enhance efficiency and security in IoT networks. For example, Ethereum-based solutions have been applied in smart homes to automate resource management securely[[4]].
Scalability and Energy Efficiency Challenges:
While blockchain solves a lot of security issues, integrating it with IoT is not without challenges. Resource-constrained IoT devices can be strained by the computational demands of blockchain. Studies suggest lightweight blockchain protocols such as IoTA (IoT Application) and Nano as promising alternatives[[5]].
Conclusion:
Blockchain technology provides a robust framework to address various security challenges in IoT systems. It makes sure that the integrity of data, device authentication, and privacy are significantly enhanced by its decentralized nature, cryptography features, and smart contracts. However, scalability, energy consumption, and costs of integration are the challenges that have to be met if the blockchain technology has to see wider adoption. Future research should be directed toward optimization of blockchain protocols and hybrid solutions to meet diverse IoT environments. With blockchain, the IoT ecosystem can be taken to the next level of security and trust not seen before, hence creating more innovative applications.
References
- Al-Joboury, Istabraq M., and Emad H. Al-Hemiary. “Automated Decentralized IoT Based Blockchain Using Ethereum Smart Contract for Healthcare.” In Enhanced Telemedicine and E-Health: Advanced IoT Enabled Soft Computing Framework, edited by Gonçalo Marques, Akash Kumar Bhoi, Isabel de la Torre Díez, and Begonya Garcia-Zapirain, 179–98. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70111-6_9.
- “Evolution of Internet of Things From Blockchain to IOTA: A Survey | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore.” Accessed December 26, 2024. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9662390.
- Khan, Burhan Ul Islam, Khang Wen Goh, Abdul Raouf Khan, Megat F. Zuhairi, and Mesith Chaimanee. “Integrating AI and Blockchain for Enhanced Data Security in IoT-Driven Smart Cities.” Processes 12, no. 9 (September 2024): 1825. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091825.
- Moin, Sana, Ahmad Karim, Zanab Safdar, Kalsoom Safdar, Ejaz Ahmed, and Muhammad Imran. “Securing IoTs in Distributed Blockchain: Analysis, Requirements and Open Issues.” Future Generation Computer Systems 100 (November 1, 2019): 325–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2019.05.023.
- Sabrina, Fariza, Nan Li, and Shaleeza Sohail. “A Blockchain Based Secure IoT System Using Device Identity Management.” Sensors 22, no. 19 (January 2022): 7535. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22197535.
- Deveci, M., Pamucar, D., Gokasar, I., Köppen, M., & Gupta, B. B. (2022). Personal mobility in metaverse with autonomous vehicles using Q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets based OPA-RAFSI model. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 24(12), 15642-15651.
- Sedik, A., Hammad, M., Abd El-Samie, F. E., Gupta, B. B., & Abd El-Latif, A. A. (2022). Efficient deep learning approach for augmented detection of Coronavirus disease. Neural Computing and Applications, 1-18.
- Megha Quamara (2021), Quantum Computing: A Threat for Information Security or Boon to Classical Computing?, Insights2Techinfo, pp. 1
Cite As
Bharath G. (2025) The Role of Blockchain in IoT Security, Insights2Techinfo, pp. 1