Leveraging blockchain for ensuring trust in IoT: A survey

Abstract

Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a technology where computing devices are connected and form a network. IoT faces many security and privacy issues due to less computation power, heterogeneity, and limited resources available with its devices. Data is transferred among these devices with little or no human interaction. Data Confidentiality and Integrity are very critical parameters and can be achieved by securely sharing information in IoT scenarios. Managing and maintaining trust in exchanging information over IoT becomes very significant. Recent researches have focused on the applications of Blockchain technology for assuring trust management in IoT networks. Blockchain provides completely distinct and more secure approaches. This survey paper aims to illustrate the significance of integrating Blockchain technology in the IoT environment to ensure trust among IoT devices. Particularly, first we give an overview and security aspects of IoT and Blockchain technologies. Then we trace out some important challenges and issues of trusted IoT with potential solutions by Blockchain. Following this, we highlight some complications in the integration of Blockchain with IoT. Finally, we present a comparative analysis between traditional and Blockchain-based trust management techniques as proof of work to represent the significance of Blockchain in ensuring trust.