Security Paradigms and Challenges in the Convergence of IoT and 6G Networks
Akshay Mudgal · 2025
Integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices with new sixth-generation (6G) networks offers unparalleled connectivity, speed, and automation capabilities. But this convergence also brings major security challenges that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The increased use of IoT devices, as they enter diverse sectors – from healthcare to smart cities – extends the methods in which cyber threats can infiltrate a system. IoT is intrinsically a decentralized and heterogeneous environment, which, compounded with ultra-low-latency requirements as well as massive device connectivity in 6G, could escalate the exposure for such threats that existing security notions won’t help. In this chapter, we elaborate on the inevitable security challenges of IoT/6G networks, ranging from data privacy, authentication, and network integrity to advanced distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) mitigation against complex attacks. It also examines new approaches and tricks, such as quantum-resistant cryptography, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven threat detection, or decentralized security models based on blockchain technology. This chapter aims to provide a state-of-the-art view of the security aspect within such an IoT-6G framework, by making an analysis on risks and proposing original approaches in order to help researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.