IIoT Communication Protocols Compatibility and Security An In-depth Review
Maryam Karimi, Roland Shaefer · 2025
This paper presents an effort to taxonomize and categorize common protocols of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and their different versions based on their compatibility with other layer protocols. Through intensive research, the paper provides a comprehensive review of the telecommunication network, Industrial Control Systems (ICS), and Internet of Things (IoT) standards and protocols, highlighting their technical importance in modern industrial applications. The paper first analyzes the components of IIoT and then focuses on the telecommunication network protocol used between those components. It depicts the compatibility of the most frequently used protocols in IIoT in different layers, using a structure based on TCP/IP and OSI reference models. This paper proposes a novel compatibility stack that can guide system designers and engineers in selecting the most appropriate communication protocols for their IIoT applications. Finally, the paper reviews the organizations involved in standardizing communication protocols. This contribution to the body of knowledge in IIoT provides a resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners seeking to understand and implement IIoT technologies, communication protocols, and their compatibilities.