Hardware-Based Blockchain Architecture with Physical Unclonable Function for Securing IoT Systems

The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a new era of interconnected devices that seamlessly communicate and share information through internet technology, eliminating the need for external intervention. As the exchanged information can often be of a confidential nature, ensuring its security is paramount. Traditional security solutions prove inadequate for safeguarding IoT systems, prompting the exploration of alternative measures. Blockchain technology has emerged as a viable solution, gaining traction for its adaptability to address the security challenges inherent in IoT deployments. However, the integration of Blockchain with IoT systems presents challenges, particularly in incorporating hardware accelerators effectively. This paper introduces a novel approach to enhancing security in IoT systems by proposing a hardware-based Blockchain architecture leveraging a hardware security primitive known as the Physical Unclonable Function (PUF). The inclusion of PUFs is advocated for their unique advantages in bolstering security.