Rademics Research Institute

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has created significant security challenges, with Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks becoming a primary threat to network stability. Traditional security mechanisms often fail to adequately address these risks, especially in decentralized IoT environments. Blockchain technology, known for its decentralized, transparent, and immutable properties, offers a robust solution to mitigate cyber threats in IoT systems. This chapter examines how blockchain can prevent DDoS attacks, enhance data integrity, and improve overall IoT security through decentralized identity management and smart contracts. By leveraging cryptographic techniques, blockchain provides a secure, auditable environment for IoT networks. The integration of blockchain with existing security measures, such as intrusion detection systems and edge computing, strengthens the resilience of IoT ecosystems. This chapter emphasizes blockchain's potential in safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IoT systems, positioning it as a critical component of future IoT security strategies. 

Introduction

The Internet of Things (IoT) has rapidly transformed how industries and individuals interact with technology, connecting billions of devices that facilitate smarter cities, healthcare, transportation, and more [1]. The expansion of IoT networks has also introduced significant security vulnerabilities [2]. IoT systems are typically decentralized, with a wide range of devices communicating over diverse networks, many of which lack robust security protocols [3,4]. These devices are often targeted by cybercriminals due to their limited computational resources and weak security defences [5]. One of the most critical concerns in IoT security was the vulnerability of devices to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where compromised IoT devices are used to flood networks with excessive traffic, rendering services unavailable [6,7]. As IoT adoption continues to grow, ensuring the security, integrity, and availability of these interconnected systems was becoming a vital concern for industries, governments, and consumers alike [8]. Traditional security solutions often struggle to scale and provide adequate protection against the vast number of devices in IoT networks, leaving gaps in protection [9]. Blockchain technology, originally developed as the underlying infrastructure for cryptocurrencies, has emerged as a transformative solution for enhancing security in various sectors, including IoT [10,11]. Its core characteristics—decentralization, transparency, and immutability—make it an ideal fit for addressing the security challenges posed by IoT environments [12,13]. Blockchain enables secure, peer-to-peer communication without the need for intermediaries, significantly reducing the risk of single points of failure and attacks [14-16]. By implementing blockchain, IoT networks can establish trust between devices, as each device was required to authenticate transactions using cryptographic signatures, ensuring the integrity of communications [17,18]. Blockchain's decentralized nature eliminates reliance on centralized authorities, which are often targeted in cyberattacks [19]. Instead of traditional centralized databases, blockchain creates an immutable ledger of transactions that was distributed across a network of nodes, making it highly resistant to tampering and unauthorized access [20].