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Blockchain for IoT security and privacy: The case study of a smart home

This paper presents a pioneering case study on applying blockchain to resolve security and privacy issues within the smart home environment. The authors observe

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Abstract

This paper presents a pioneering case study on applying blockchain to resolve security and privacy issues within the smart home environment. The authors observe that smart homes are frequently compromised due to their reliance on centralized cloud servers for device coordination and data storage. They propose a decentralized approach using a private blockchain to facilitate secure device authentication and data sharing. The methodology includes designing a lightweight, decentralized architecture where devices act as nodes, ensuring that sensitive user data remains local and tamper-resistant. The study analyzes the performance overhead of such an implementation, concluding that blockchain significantly improves user privacy by removing third-party intermediaries and providing an immutable audit trail of device interactions. This research is highly influential for its practical focus, offering a blueprint for ‘Privacy-by-Design’ in consumer electronics. By demonstrating the feasibility of using blockchain to secure personal data in residential environments, the paper highlights a scalable path forward for decentralized IoT, where users retain full ownership and control over their digital interactions without compromising on smart-home functionality. Authors: Dorri, A., Kanhere, S. S., Jurdak, R., Gauravaram, P. Publication: Academic Paper Publication date: 2017-01-01

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Key findings

  • Blockchain enables decentralized authentication, removing reliance on central cloud providers.
  • Privacy-by-design is achievable in smart homes through localized, blockchain-based data management.
  • Decentralization significantly hardens IoT networks against unauthorized remote access.
  • Immutable audit logs allow users to verify the integrity of device interactions.

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Citation

Dorri, A., Kanhere, S. S., Jurdak, R., Gauravaram, P. (2017). Blockchain for IoT security and privacy: The case study of a smart home. Academic Paper. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7917634
Canonical knowledge ID: research:blockchain-for-iot-security-and-privacy-the-case-study-of-a-smart-home