Denial of service attacks in edge computing layers: Taxonomy, vulnerabilities, threats and solutions

Abstract

Edge computing has emerged as the dominant communication technology connecting IoT and cloud, offering reduced latency and harnessing the potential of edge devices. However, its widespread adoption has also introduced various security vulnerabilities, similar to any nascent technology. One notable threat is the denial of service (DoS) attack, including its distributed form, the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, which is the primary focus of this research. This paper aims to explore the impact of different types of DoS and DDoS attacks on edge computing layers by examining the vulnerabilities associated with various edge peripherals. Additionally, existing detection and prevention mechanisms are investigated to address these weaknesses. Furthermore, a theoretical architecture is proposed to mitigate distributed denial of service attacks targeting edge systems. By comprehensively analyzing and addressing the security concerns related to DoS and DDoS attacks in edge computing, this research aims to contribute to the development of robust and secure edge computing systems.