Unveiling the Synergy between Blockchain and IoT Exploring the Path to Enhanced Security and Trust
Raafiya Gulmeher, J Uthayakumar · 2024
The convergence of blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) offers a transformative approach to addressing persistent challenges in data security, trust, and decentralized communication. This chapter provides an in-depth examination of how blockchain’s decentralized ledger, cryptographic security, and consensus mechanisms can revolutionize IoT ecosystems by enhancing data integrity, facilitating secure peer-to-peer communication, and fostering trust among interconnected devices. It explores the core architectures of blockchain, such as its network, consensus, and application layers, and assesses advanced consensus mechanisms, including Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs), to address scalability and energy efficiency. The potential of blockchain to enable seamless data sharing and resilient, autonomous IoT systems was analyzed, highlighting solutions that overcome infrastructure and scalability limitations in current IoT implementations. Emerging frameworks for IoT integration and the role of blockchain in strengthening privacy control through smart contracts and cryptographic techniques are also discussed. The chapter concludes by identifying research gaps and future directions in leveraging blockchain technology to enhance IoT security and trust.