Blockchain-Enabled Secure Data Sharing in Internet of Things (IoT) Networks

Anjali Sharma¹, Rohit Kumar²,

¹ Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Gateway Institute of Engineering & Technology, Sonipat, Haryana, India
² Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Gateway Institute of Engineering & Technology, Sonipat, Haryana, India

Abstract

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has led to an unprecedented volume of data generation, necessitating robust mechanisms for secure and efficient data sharing. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized and immutable ledger, offers a promising solution to address security, privacy, and trust challenges in IoT networks. This article explores the integration of blockchain technology to enable secure data sharing in IoT ecosystems. It examines the theoretical foundations, proposes a methodology for implementation, and evaluates the performance of blockchain-based IoT systems. Through a comprehensive literature review, implementation details, and testing results, this study highlights the benefits, challenges, and future prospects of blockchain-enabled IoT networks. The findings suggest that blockchain can significantly enhance data integrity, security, and trust, though scalability and energy efficiency remain critical challenges.The integration of blockchain technology with IoT networks presents a paradigm shift in data management and security. By leveraging the decentralized nature of blockchain, IoT ecosystems can achieve enhanced data integrity, transparency, and trust among participating devices and users. The immutable ledger provided by blockchain ensures that data transactions are recorded and verified across multiple nodes, making it extremely difficult for malicious actors to tamper with or falsify information. This approach addresses critical security concerns in IoT networks, such as data breaches, unauthorized access, and single points of failure.

Furthermore, the implementation of blockchain in IoT systems enables secure peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries, potentially reducing operational costs and improving efficiency. Smart contracts, a key feature of blockchain technology, can automate and enforce predefined rules and agreements between IoT devices, enhancing the overall reliability and autonomy of the network. However, the integration of blockchain with IoT is not without challenges. Scalability issues arise as the number of IoT devices and transactions grow, potentially leading to increased latency and reduced performance. Additionally, the energy consumption associated with blockchain operations, particularly in consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work, poses concerns for resource-constrained IoT devices. Addressing these challenges through optimized consensus algorithms, lightweight blockchain implementations, and energy-efficient protocols will be crucial for the widespread adoption of blockchain-enabled IoT systems. The 6th generation of wireless networks (6G) promises to provide ultra-reliable, high-speed, and low-latency communication for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. However, securing data transmission and storage in these networks is a critical challenge due to potential security threats. Blockchain technology provides a solution to enhance security in IoT networks by enabling secure, decentralized, and tamper-proof data sharing. In this paper, we proposed a novel solution for securing data sharing and storage in 6G-based IoT networks using blockchain technology, hybrid encryption, and IPFS. The proposed approach consists of four algorithms that enhance the security of the system: a user authentication algorithm, a data access algorithm, a data storage algorithm, and a secure data sharing algorithm. 

Keywords

Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Secure Data Sharing, Decentralized Systems, Data Integrity, Privacy, Smart Contracts

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