Blockchain Security for IoT Applications using Role of Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought untold numbers of devic
es into our lives, using them all to build a commonplace of smart and data 
driven spaces. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), at the central core of this 
technological revolution, are the foundation of IoT applications by collecting 
and transmitting vital data. But as the networks get more complex and more 
important, so do the security challenges it faces. Here comes blockchain 
technology, a novel method to make WSNs in the IoT more secure, trust
worthy and accountable. With WSNs becoming more and more a part of our 
critical appointments such as healthcare, smart cities and industrial auto
mation now more than ever we cannot risk their security and availability. It 
is well known, however, that traditional security mechanisms are typically 
insufficient when applied to these distributed networks as they are highly re
source constrained sensor nodes. Blockchain technology enters the arena as 
a watershed solution functionally decentralizing and tamper-resistant data 
management and network security. In this that explores from an aspect of 
WSNs and IoT applications, blockchain technology and its intricate relation
ship with WSNs in the age of IoT applications is explored comprehensively. 
In this paper, we explore how blockchain’s built in features could be used to 
overcome the security vulnerabilities of WSNs, improve data integrity and 
establish robust accountability mechanism. This article strives to be a one
stop read to understand from the fundamentals of blockchain integration to 
advanced implementation strategies how this ground breaking technology is 
changing the world of IoT security.