Blockchain-driven security for IoT networks: State-of-the-art, challenges and future directions

The surge in adopting Internet of Things (IoT) devices has presented fresh challenges regarding security and networks. Conventional centralized methods encounter scalability issues and security vulnerabilities with the rapid growth of connected devices. This comprehensive review offers researchers, practitioners, and policymakers valuable insights into the current state, challenges, and future directions of blockchain-driven security for IoT networks. The paper reviews research papers from 2016 to 2023 from the leading databases. Despite the potential advantages, integrating blockchain into IoT security presents its own set of challenges. This paper also discusses a survey of surveys and explains the challenges of offering security solutions for IoT networks. The paper introduces a secure system for sharing healthcare data, incorporating AI, smart contracts, and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). The initial proposed system establishes a secure and transparent system for device authentication, data integrity, and access control using BC’s decentralized and unchangeable characteristics. Smart contracts are employed to automate device network processes, ensuring tamper-proof execution and reducing the risk of unauthorized access. By conducting a case study and experimental assessment, we illustrate how security solutions driven by BC prove effective in mitigating the weaknesses linked to conventional IoT networks. The findings indicate that the proposed framework enhances security and provides a scalable and decentralized foundation for managing the ever-expanding ecosystem of IoT devices. The paper provides valuable guidance and outlines potential directions for future research in blockchain-driven security for IoT networks, offering a clear roadmap for researchers.